Exercise to improve cognitive function in older adults with high blood pressure
Official title: Improving Age-Related Cognitive Decline with Exercise in Hypertensive Older Adults: a Pilot Study to Investigate a Retinal Microvascular Biomarker and the Role of IGF
Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT05043454 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if a short, intense exercise program can help older adults with high blood pressure think better and improve their brain health.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 55 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Trial ID | NCT05043454 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 55-75 with essential hypertension who engage in less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with dementia, severe respiratory diseases, or other conditions that preclude exercise may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates how a brief high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise intervention can enhance cognitive function in older adults suffering from hypertension. The researchers aim to determine if increased cardiovascular fitness leads to improved vascular density and neurocognition, using innovative retinal density scans to measure outcomes. Participants will engage in structured exercise while their health metrics are closely monitored to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to improved cognitive health and quality of life for older adults with hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with exercise interventions in improving cognitive function, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adults between 55-75 years of age * essential hypertension (as determined by referring physicians) * engages in less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise/week (as determined by CHAMPS Questionnaire) * physically able to exercise * access to an upright cycle ergometer at home or via gym access * access to smart device (iOS or Android phone or tablet with ability to install and use Polar Beat and Polar FlowTM applications). Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of dementia * resting systolic blood pressure \<120, or \>180 mm Hg * disease or condition that would preclude exercise * untreated depression or anxiety disorders * severe respiratory disease * disease of the eye * refractive error \> 6 diopters or +6 diopters (as assessed by 1st retinal scan).
Where it's running
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ronald Lazar, PhD — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Ronald Lazar, PhD
- Email: rlazar@uabmc.edu
- Phone: 205-934-2334
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.