Brain Health Virtual Reality Study

Purpose

The Interventions for Brain Health Virtual Reality Study is a NIH-funded clinical research trial at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Health under the supervision of the study principal investigator Dr. Judy Pa. The overarching goal of this trial is to use a novel virtual reality (VR) based intervention that simultaneously engages physical and cognitive activity aimed at improving brain health and cognition in older adults. The investigators will compare 3 types of interventions: physical activity, VR cognitive activity, and combined VR physical and cognitive activity over 16 weeks to evaluate physical and brain health changes.

Conditions

  • Aging
  • Aging Problems
  • Memory Loss
  • Memory Impairment
  • Memory Disorders in Old Age
  • Memory Disorder, Spatial
  • Memory Disorders
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Cognitive Decline
  • Cognitive Change
  • Cognition Disorders in Old Age

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 50 Years and 85 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  1. 50-85 years of age 2. Fluent in English 3. Can safely ride a stationary bike

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Dementia 2. History of a neurological disorder 3. Severe sensory deficits 4. Inability to perform intervention (e.g., inability to cycle safely) 5. Contraindications to MRI scan (e.g., pacemaker) 6. Fear of needles/ blood 7. Prior history of fainting due to sight of needles of blood

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Factorial Assignment
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Cognitive activity - VR spatial navigation only 		VR spatial navigation program will consist of a spatial navigation program that increases difficulty and length per trial over time. Spatial navigation is the ability to navigate between multiple elements/landmarks widely used in computer games. A trial is a test of performance or quality of someone or something.
  • Behavioral: Cognitive Activity (VR)
    There will be three sessions a week over the course of 16 weeks.
Active Comparator
Physical activity - Cycling only 		The physical activity program will consist of a stationary bike cycling program. Each day will consist of a cycling program of varying levels of difficulty for 20-50 minutes.
  • Behavioral: Physical Activity
    There will be three sessions a week over the course of 16 weeks.
Experimental
Combined, simultaneous physical and cognitive activity 		The combined physical and cognitive activity VR program will consist of a spatial navigation program that increases difficulty and length per trial over time.
  • Behavioral: Physical and Cognitive Activity
    There will be three sessions a week over the course of 16 weeks.

Recruiting Locations

University of California, San Diego
San Diego 5391811, California 5332921 92122
Contact:
Study coordinator
619-543-2113
brainhealth@health.ucsd.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of California, San Diego

Study Contact

Study Coordinator
6195432113
Brainhealth@health.ucsd.edu