Boosting physical activity with tech, social support, and stress resilience

Increasing Physical Activity Through Social Support and Stress Resilience (I-PASS) Among Older Adults Living Alone With SCD to Lower ADRD Risk

Not applicable Interventional Arizona State University · NCT06896825

This study tests whether adding technology-based tools plus social support and stress-resilience activities helps older adults living alone with subjective cognitive decline become more physically active.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment86 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorArizona State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Phoenix, Arizona)
Trial IDNCT06896825 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Older adults who live alone, report mild cognitive decline, and are currently sedentary will be enrolled and assigned to a tech-enhanced program or a basic program that both include education, goal-setting, and self-monitoring of activity. Participants will use a wearable activity monitor and receive weekly text reminders while researchers measure changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over time. The study also measures social support and stress-resilience to see whether those psychosocial factors change and whether they explain any activity gains. Data collection combines objective activity tracking with questionnaires at baseline and follow-up visits conducted at the study site.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who live alone, report a decline in cognitive function, do 60 minutes or less of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, and own or are willing to use a smartphone in English.

Not a fit: People who are already regularly active, who have medical contraindications to increased activity (unless cleared by their physician), who cannot use a smartphone, or who cannot attend site visits are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help participants increase their physical activity while strengthening social support and stress resilience.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials using wearables, reminders, and social support have increased activity in older adults, although combining technology enhancements with formal stress-resilience training is less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 60 years or older
* Living alone and community dwelling
* Engaging in 60 minutes or less per week of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at screening (based on Exercise Vital Sign Questionnaire)
* Self-reported decline in cognitive functioning
* Self-reported ownership of/willingness to use a smartphone with an iOS or Android operating system (necessary for participants to track their activity using a wearable activity monitor).
* Able to read and speak in English. We hope to offer the intervention in Spanish in the future; however, currently, the study materials are only available in English, and participation will require ability to read and respond to study materials.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Endorsing an item on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), unless a physician's note is provided
* Resting blood pressure greater than 200/110 mmHG as assessed at the baseline study assessment (unless a physician's note is provided)
* Plans to relocate out of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area in the next 6 months
* Participation in another physical activity, nutrition or weight loss program at time of screening or at any time during the intervention
* Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as determined by either a self-report of receiving a diagnosis of MCI from a health care provider or as assessed by the Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) at the Baseline Session. A score \< 18 is an exclusion criterion.
* Individuals with neurodegenerative (e.g., dementia), developmental (e.g., autism), neurologic (e.g., Parkinson's, epilepsy), or major psychiatric (e.g., bipolar, schizophrenia) diagnoses
* Being previously prescribed one of the 5 approved Alzheimer's medications, including: Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), Galantamine (Razadyne), Memantine (Namenda), Memantine + Donepezil (Namzaric)
* Score of 9 or higher on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at the Baseline Session \[scores of 9 and higher are indicative of moderate to severe depression\]
* History of stroke
* Incarcerated individuals (i.e., Prisoners)

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HealthySubjective Cognitive DeclineSedentary BehaviorSocial Isolation in Older Adults
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.