High‑ versus moderate‑intensity exercise for brain health in type 2 diabetes
The Effect of Exercise of High vs. Moderate Intensity on the Brain in Type 2 Diabetes
This project will test whether high‑intensity or moderate‑intensity exercise three times per week for six months improves brain metabolism, blood flow, and thinking in people aged 30–75 with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin and are currently inactive.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hasselt University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hasselt, Limburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT06734546 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will compare two supervised exercise programs (high and moderate intensity) to a non‑exercise control over a six‑month period with sessions three times weekly. Participants will have brain MRI scans, cognitive testing, and blood samples taken before and after the intervention to measure brain metabolism, perfusion, and cognitive function. Eligible participants are adults 30–75 with type 2 diabetes not treated with insulin and who are physically inactive, while people with major cardiovascular, neurological, or MRI contraindications are excluded. The trial is conducted at Hasselt University with clinical collaborators in the region.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 30–75 years old with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin, are currently physically inactive, and can safely undergo exercise and MRI.
Not a fit: People on insulin therapy or those with severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological disease, ongoing cancer, or MRI contraindications would not qualify and are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify which exercise intensity best preserves brain health and lowers the risk of neurodegeneration in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that regular exercise can improve cognition and brain blood flow in older adults and people with diabetes, but direct comparisons of high versus moderate intensity for brain metabolism in type 2 diabetes are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * type 2 diabetes * no insulin therapy * 30-75 years old * physically inactive Exclusion Criteria: * MRI contraindications * psychological disorders * exogenous insulin therapy * history of coma, transient ischemic attack, head trauma, brain tumor, stroke, epilepsy, and other central nervous system diseases that could cause dementia or presence of dementia before T2DM * suffering from any disease with significant impact on exercise intervention participation such as: chronic heart disease (e.g. valve insufficiency ≥ grade 2) or significant arrhythmias, cardiac events less than one year ago (myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention), clinical heart failure (oedema, shortness of breath), percutaneous coronary intervention less than one year ago, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease * severe hypertension (\>160/110 mmHg) * ongoing cancer, severe neuropathy (limiting exercise participation) * renal disease (GRF \<45 ml/min/1,73 m2) * inability to regularly participate in the exercise intervention * pregnancy * breastfeeding
Where this trial is running
Hasselt, Limburg
- Hasselt University — Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dominique Hansen, Full professor — Hasselt University
- Study coordinator: Dominique Hansen, Full Professor
- Email: dominique.hansen@uhasselt.be
- Phone: +3211292126
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.