Group recreation program to boost thinking and physical function in older adults

A Community-Based Recreation Program to Improve Function and Quality of Life in Older Adults

NA · State University of New York at Buffalo · NCT07050589

This program will try group art sessions and SMARTfit dual-task exergaming at the YMCA to see if weekly sessions for 24 weeks help adults 60+ improve walking, balance, strength, attention, and memory.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorState University of New York at Buffalo (other)
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT07050589 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will deliver a community-based recreation program combining group artmaking and SMARTfit dual-task exergaming to community-dwelling older adults at the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA. Participants aged 60 and older with MoCA scores ≥24 and no contraindications to exercise will attend weekly sessions for 24 weeks. The main outcomes are changes in cognitive function (attention, memory) and physical functioning (walking, balance, strength) measured before and after the intervention. Key exclusions include severe neurological or psychiatric disease, limb amputation, or inability to exercise safely.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who speak English, have a MoCA score ≥24, can safely exercise, and can attend weekly sessions at the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA.

Not a fit: People with greater than mild cognitive impairment (MoCA <24), severe neurological or psychiatric illness, limb amputation, or who cannot exercise safely are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve mobility and cognitive skills like attention and memory in older adults without high-cost medical treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Individual components such as dual-task exergaming and group art programs have shown some promise for cognitive and physical outcomes, but combining them in a community-based 24-week program is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* \> = 60 years of age
* have no more than MCI (MoCA score ≥ 24 points)
* have no contraindications to exercise, guided by the American College of Sports Medicine
* fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria

* have a condition that would prevent safe participation in the exercise, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Older Adults (PAR-OA);
* have severe neurological disease
* have severe psychiatric illness
* have a likelihood of withdrawing from the study due to severe illness or a life expectancy of \< 6 mo
* have experienced a lower or upper limb amputation
* have greater than mild cognitive impairment (MoCA score \< 24 points).

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Physical Functioning, Cognitive Functioning, walking, balance, strength, attention, memory, interference inhibition

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.