Exercise program to help Veterans with age-related macular degeneration keep vision and daily function
Official title: The Active AMD Study to Improve Function in Veterans with Age Related Macular Degeneration
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11222659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Veterans with intermediate age-related macular degeneration will join a 6-month online group spin cycling program to try to preserve vision, thinking, and everyday functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004563-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222659 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans with intermediate age-related macular degeneration who are able and cleared to perform stationary cycling and can join online group sessions.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced late-stage AMD with severe vision loss, with medical issues that make aerobic exercise unsafe, or without the ability to use online technology may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would join a 6-month synchronous online group spin cycling program using a stationary bike and participate in live group sessions. Participants with intermediate AMD will be compared with a contact-controlled group doing non-aerobic activities to keep study contact similar. The team will measure vision (including visual acuity, dark adaptation, and contrast sensitivity), physical fitness, and cognitive and daily living outcomes before and after the program. This approach builds on animal studies and early veteran pilot data suggesting aerobic exercise may protect retinal function and modestly improve vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help Veterans with AMD maintain vision, physical fitness, and independence in daily life.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies and small pilot work in older Veterans showed retinal protection and modest visual benefit, but large randomized human trials remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nocera, Joe Robert — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Nocera, Joe Robert
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.