The investigators will conduct a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial study to provide preliminary evidence of efficacy of a resistance exercise training program for maintaining white matter health and improving cognitive function in older adults with vascular cognitive impairment, defined as the presence of cognitive impairment combined with cerebral small vessel disease, compared with a stretch and relaxation program.
A total of 88 adults with vascular cognitive impairment will be randomized to either a 12-month twice-weekly resistance training program or stretch and relaxation program. There will be three measurement sessions: baseline, 6 months (midpoint of intervention period), and 12 months (end of intervention period).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
91
Twelve months of twice-weekly resistance training program that will gradually progress in intensity. Each training session will be 60 minutes (10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of training, and 10 minutes of cool-down).
Twelve months of twice-weekly stretching and relaxation program that includes stretches, deep breathing and relaxation techniques, general core control exercises, and general posture and health education. Each session will be 60 minutes.
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Cognitive function as measured by Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale Plus (ADAS-Plus)
ADAS-Cog 13 Plus additional cognitive tests
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change in white matter health as measured by total white matter lesion volume
White matter hyperintensity volume in mm3
Time frame: Baseline to 12 months
Executive functions as measured by standard neuropsychological tests
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Arterial stiffness as measured by carotid-femoral arterial pulse-wave velocity (PWV) (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Cardiometabolic risk factors as measured by blood panel (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Cardiometabolic risk factors as measured by body mass index
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Cardiometabolic risk factors as measured by waist to hip ratio
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Physiological falls risk as measured by the Physiological Profile Assessment
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Mobility and balance as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
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Mood as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Quality of life as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-6D (SF-6D)
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
White matter integrity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging
Time frame: baseline and 12 months
Myelin plasticity as measured by multicomponent relaxation imaging
Time frame: baseline and 12 months
Memory as measured by standard neuropsychological tests
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Upper body strength as measured by grip strength
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Lower body strength as measured by 30 sec sit to stand test
Time frame: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Functional capacity as measured by 6 minute walk test
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Neurotrophic factors in blood: IGF-1, BDNF, VEGF (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Self-reported physical activity as measured by the PASE questionnaire
Time frame: Monthly
NIH Cognitive Toolbox
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Isokinetic strength of the lower limb (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Functional connectivity using resting state fMRI (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Health resource utilization
Time frame: Baseline and every 3 months
Prospective falls via monthly falls calendars
Time frame: Monthly
Mobility using Timed up and Go Test
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Dual-task ability using dual-task timed up and go test
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Dual task gait using Gaitrite mat (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Cognitive function using ADAS-Cog 13
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Dominant quad isometric strength using a strain gauge
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity using saliva samples (i.e., cortisol) (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Regional brain volumes using structural MRI
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Selected Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood (subset only)
IFN-alpha, IL-1 alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-alpha, Rantes, CXCL1, IL-18, TGF-B
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Telomere Length (subset only)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Sleep quality as measured by MW8
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months