Virtual Exercise For Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Virtual Exercise Intervention for Older Adults With MCI

This project is designed to develop and evaluate an Internet-based exercise intervention (tai ji quan Moving to Improve Brain Health) using real-time videoconferencing for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The project has three major goals: (a) transforming an in-person tai ji quan brain health intervention protocol into an online (virtual) class protocol and evaluating its feasibility of implementation in older adults with MCI, (b) developing and evaluating online assessment and data ascertainment procedures that encompass cognitive and physical performance measures, and (c) conducting a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of this new online intervention protocol with a conventional stretching exercise group in older adults with MCI.

Inclusion criteria:

• Self-report a change or decline in memory (corroborated by an informant)
• Record a score of ≤0.5 on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale (with information derived from both the participant and an informant)
• Show no major impairment in cognitive function as indexed by a score of ≥24 on the Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE).

Exclusion criteria:

• Have participated in a rigorous and structured physical activity or exercise program (including Tai Ji Quan) in the past 6 months,
• Show major signs of depression as indicated by a score of ≥5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale
• Have major medical or physical conditions that preclude exercise, as determined by their healthcare practitioner
• Being unable to follow the consent process or sign the study consent form.