Tai Chi for Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns
Official title: Project Gnosis: the Neural, Physical, and Psychosocial Processes and Health Outcomes of an 8-week Tai Chi Intervention in Older Adults with and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment
Run by Ohio University · NCT06828926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests if an 8-week Tai Chi program can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment and muscle loss improve their thinking skills and overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ohio University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Athens, Ohio) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 12, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 2026 |
| Study ends | March 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 17, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06828926 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are older adults aged 60 and above who have Mild Cognitive Impairment or are age-gender matched healthy controls.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant uncontrolled medical conditions or those requiring assistive devices for mobility 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 the effects of Tai Chi on older adults experiencing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and sarcopenia. It aims to assess the relationship between heart rate variability, cortical activity, and cognitive function, while also examining how pain and social isolation impact cognitive performance. Participants will engage in an 8-week Tai Chi program, with evaluations conducted before and after the intervention to measure changes in cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. The study also explores the influence of sarcopenia and obesity on cognitive function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance cognitive function and overall well-being in older adults with MCI.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes for Tai Chi in improving cognitive function and physical health in older adults, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants who are older adults, defined as ≥60 years old. 2. Participants must have the ability to independently stand without the use of an assistive device for 20 minutes. 3. People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (initial cohort) and without MCI (age-gender matched healthy controls). A score of between \>18 and ≤26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be used to classify MCI. A score above 26 is considered normal. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participants with significant uncontrolled medication, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic symptoms will be excluded from participation in the study, as these symptoms could impact their engagement with the engagement of Tai Chi. 2. Investigators will administer a brief screening questionnaire to assess (a) hypotension symptoms related to intensive treatment of hypertension and (b) hypoglycemia related to intensive treatment of diabetes, as these conditions are associated with cognitive decline. 3. Investigators will capture data on potential sleep apnea and administer the Stop-Bang Questionnaire to identify potential sleep-disordered breathing. Participants with significant uncontrolled sleep apnea will be excluded as this could also impact their engagement in the intervention and influence the primary outcome measure of cognitive function. 2\. Currently or recently practicing Tai Chi. Participants will be excluded if they are currently practicing Tai Chi. If participants have previously engaged in Tai Chi, there will be a washout period of at least 6 months before considering enrollment in the study.
Where it's running
-
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nicholas Karayannis, MPT, PhD
- Email: nvkaray@ohio.edu
- Phone: +1 740-593-1044
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Rural Veterans and Care Partners Walking Program
A virtual walking program is tested to see if it can help Veterans with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners in rural areas walk more each day.
-
China HEAD: a large community study on healthy aging and dementia
This study tests whether collecting health, imaging, and biospecimen data from adults in China can help predict who will develop Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
-
Sarcopenia in Patients After Cardiac Surgery
This observational study tests how common sarcopenia is after cardiac surgery and whether current care helps improve muscle mass and function.
-
Aging Brain Health Initiative in Fujian
This observational study will follow about 3,000 older adults in Fujian to see how Alzheimer's-related changes develop and to test new digital tests, biomarkers, and imaging tools for early diagnosis.
-
See if multimodal biomarkers can map changes from mild cognitive impairment to dementia
This observational study tests whether clinical, blood, and brain-imaging markers can tell apart stages of cognitive decline and predict progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia in about 600 people.
-
LIFU to Help Sleep and Amyloid Reduction in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment
A wearable ultrasound device (ATTN201) is being tested to see if it’s safe and easy to use for people 65 and older with mild cognitive impairment and amyloid buildup.
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.