COVEPIC (Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC training) investigating the effects of home-based physical exercise and cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in community-dwelling older adults: study protocol of a randomized single-blinded clinical trial

Abstract

Background In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown and social distancing measures are applied to prevent the spread of the virus. It is well known that confinement and social isolation can have a negative impact on physical and mental health, including cognition. Physical activity and cognitive training can help enhance older adults’ cognitive and physical health and prevent the negative collateral impacts of social isolation and physical inactivity. The COVEPIC study aims to document the effects of 6 months of home-based physical exercise alone versus home-based physical exercise combined with cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in adults 50 years and older. Methods One hundred twenty-two healthy older adults (> 50 years old) will be recruited from the community and randomized to one of the two arms for 6 months: (1) home-based physical exercises monitoring alone and (2) combined physical exercises monitoring with home-based cognitive training. The primary outcome is cognition, including general functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score), as well as executive functions, processing speed, and episodic memory (composite Z-scores based on validated neuropsychological tests and computerized tasks). The secondary outcome is physical functions, including balance (one-leg stance test), gait and mobility performance (Timed Up and Go, 4-meter walk test), leg muscle strength (5-time sit-to-stand), and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (Matthews’ questionnaire). Exploratory outcomes include mood, anxiety, and health-related quality of life as assessed by self-reported questionnaires (i.e., Geriatric depression scale-30 items, Perceived stress scale, State-trait anxiety inventory-36 items, Perseverative thinking questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10, and 12-item Short Form Survey). Discussion This trial will document the remote monitoring of home-based physical exercise alone and home-based physical combined with cognitive training to enhance cognitive and physical health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Remote interventions represent a promising strategy to help maintain or enhance health and cognition in seniors, and potentially an opportunity to reach older adults in remote areas, where access to such interventions is limited. Trial registration Clinical trial Identifier NCT04635462. COVEPIC was retrospectively registered on November 19, 2020.

The effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health

“…For example, an online relaxation intervention including guided breathing and mindfulness body scan exercises and listening to rain and water sounds, which can lessen COVID-19-related stress during social isolation [ 188 ]. Home-based physical exercise and cognitive training programmes can lead to synergistic effects regarding the respective benefits associated with physical and mental health [ 189 ]. However, individuals’ preference for communication methods, their pre-pandemic digital literacy, and their acceptance and attitude towards online support need to be considered when designing and implementing interventions [ 167 , 184 ].…”

Effectiveness of dual-task computerized cognitive training in the prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in coronary bypass surgery

“…Отмечается, что когнитивная тренировка с двумя конкурирующими задачами предпочтительнее, чем тренировка с одним заданием [11]. Предполагают, что использование в когнитивных тренингах мультимодальных задач способствует лучшей координации умственных процессов при их выполнении, что необходимо в повседневной деятельности и может повлиять на ее качество [11,24,25]. Применение программ восстановления когнитивных функций с использованием двойных задач позволяет, с одной стороны, расширить объем мозговой ткани, вовлекаемый в их выполнение, а с другой, активировать процессы нейропластичности и запустить компен-саторную перестройку ресурсов головного мозга в ответ на повышенную нагрузку [26].…”

“…Ранее показано, что для успешного ментального старения важным аспектом является сохранённая нестандартность мыслительного процесса [27]. Установлено также, что организация функциональных нейронных сетей при успешном решении когнитивных заданий у пожилых людей, а также при выполнении конкурирующих задач субъектами независимо от возраста подразумевает более широкое подключение мозговых ресурсов [25]. Таким образом, меньший процент пациентов в группе тренинга, у которых наблюдалось 20% снижение исполнительных функций и кратковременной памяти, демонстрирует эффект трансфера, при котором тренировка одних видов когнитивных способностей вызывает повышение производительности других [28,29].…”

Videoconference version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: normative data for Quebec-French people aged 50 years and older

“…Participants in the present study took part in two larger clinical trials, the COVEPIC trial [16] (clinicaltrials.org Clinical trial Identifier: NCT04635462) and the COVEPI-CARDIO trial (clinicaltrials.org Clinical trial Identifier: NCT04661189). Both trials have for objective to document the remote monitoring of home-based physical exercise alone and combined with cognitive training to promote cognitive and physical health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period, in individuals with and without cardiovascular risk factors (COVEPIC) and in individuals with cardiovascular disease (COVEPICARDIO).…”