High-intensity interval versus moderate continuous exercise for people with mild cognitive impairment

Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Executive Functions, Cardiorespiratory and Physical Fitness in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

This trial will test whether HIIT or moderate continuous exercise better improves thinking skills and physical fitness in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (estimated)
• Ages: 60 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Riphah International University (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07248709 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blinded study will recruit 68 community-dwelling older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and randomize them to eight weeks of either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Each group will complete three 38-minute sessions per week, with the HIIT sessions comprising four 4-minute intervals at 85–95% of maximum heart rate separated by 3-minute active recoveries and MICT delivered as continuous moderate exercise. Cognitive outcomes (including executive function) and physical fitness measures will be collected before and after the intervention to compare effects between groups. The trial will be run at two Lahore sites using convenience sampling and online randomization.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults meeting Petersen's MCI criteria (specified MoCA cutoffs), independent in basic activities of daily living, able to walk without assistance, and not already exercising ≥150 minutes per week.

Not a fit: People with a clinical diagnosis of dementia, major medical conditions that prevent safe exercise, inability to walk unaided, or those already exercising regularly are unlikely to gain benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, the exercise program could help slow cognitive decline and improve physical fitness and daily functioning for people with MCI.

How similar studies have performed: Previous exercise studies, including some using HIIT, have reported mixed but generally promising effects on cognition and fitness, so this approach has some supporting evidence but is not yet definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* older adults who had been diagnosed with MCI according to Peterson's criteria \[Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \<26 for those with 12 years or more of education and \<25 for those with less than 12 years of education; activity of daily living scale ≤23; no clinical diagnosis of dementia\]
* older adults who are physically normal (the six-item Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale should all be evaluated as "independent")

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants who have medical problems or co-morbidities that interdict their participation in the study.
* Unable to walk without an assistive device
* Diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease
* Having regular exercise habits (defined as exercise for ≥150 min per week).
* Participating in other ongoing intervention study

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations

• Khursheed Oldage Home and Nursing Care — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)
• Ruhama Welfare Foundation Society — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aruba Saeed, PhD — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: Sadia Khalid, MSPT-NM

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment, High-Intensity Interval Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, Executive Function, Physical Fitness, Cardiorespiratory Fitness