Cognitive and physical exercise program for older surgical patients

COgnitive and Physical Exercise to Improve Outcomes After Surgery (COPE-iOS) Study

Not applicable Interventional Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NCT04889417

This study is testing if a program that combines brain training and physical exercise can help older patients recover better after major surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVanderbilt University Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nashville, Tennessee)
Trial IDNCT04889417 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The COPE-iOS study investigates whether a combined program of computerized cognitive training and physical exercise can enhance cognitive and functional outcomes in older patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. This randomized trial will involve 250 participants aged 60 and above, who will either engage in the comprehensive training program or an active control group for 2-4 weeks before surgery and for three months post-discharge. Assessments will include evaluations of cognition, daily living activities, depression, and neuroimaging to measure the impact of the interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 60 and older who are scheduled for elective major non-cardiac surgery with a hospitalization expectation of three days or more.

Not a fit: Patients who are severely frail, cognitively impaired, or unable to participate in the program due to physical limitations will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve cognitive function and reduce disability in older adults after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of combining cognitive and physical training is promising, it is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this specific surgical context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥60 years old
2. undergoing elective major non-cardiac surgery with expected hospitalization ≥3 days

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Blind, deaf, or inability to understand English as these conditions would preclude the ability to perform the proposed comprehensive program and prevent assessment with the study instruments
2. Prisoners
3. Severe frailty or physical impairment that prohibits participation in the program
4. Cognitively unable to consent for surgery (i.e., dementia or cognitive impairment of a severity that precludes ability to self-consent and, thus, also participation in study interventions)
5. Inability to obtain informed consent ≥2 weeks before scheduled surgery
6. Surgical team unwilling to allow physical activity or other components of the intervention
7. Inability or unwillingness to utilize a tablet device, laptop, or email
8. Co-enrolled in another interventional trial examining similar outcomes or current enrollment in a study that does not allow co-enrollment

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee

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 Cognitive ImpairmentDisability PhysicalSurgery
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.