Aged, 80 and Over

Researchers are evaluating the +AGIL Barcelona program to help frail older adults improve their physical abilities and delay disability. This study focuses on adapting and expanding the program across different community health centers in Barcelona. It aims to measure improvements in physical performance using a simple test (SPPB) and assess how well the program can be implemented in various neighborhoods. The program includes up to 10 weekly group exercise sessions led by a physiotherapist, emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. Participants receive personalized exercises supported by easy-to-understand materials. The program also offers advice on healthy habits like the Mediterranean diet, sleep improvement, and managing swallowing or memory issues. Medication reviews are conducted to ensure safe and appropriate treatments, and support is provided to connect participants with local activities to reduce social isolation. Participants will be involved in assessments of their physical performance, quality of life, cognitive function, social engagement, diet adherence, medication use, and any adverse events at the start, three months, and six months. The study uses a stepped approach to introduce the program at different sites gradually. Researchers will also gather qualitative feedback on participants' experiences and program implementation. The total participation duration includes baseline and follow-up visits over six months.

Researchers are conducting the 100-Year Human Aging Study, an observational trial designed to follow participants over their lifespans to investigate which health measurements can predict mortality, serious diseases, and functional disability. The study aims to validate many longevity measures that currently lack prospective evidence by tracking physiological, cognitive, social, and environmental factors that change with aging. This research will generate important data to improve understanding of aging and longevity medicine. Participants undergo comprehensive multi-system clinical screenings including tests like cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition assessment by DEXA, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, neurocognitive testing, sensory assessments, metabolic testing, and detailed medical and social histories. The study allows for different levels of participation, from single tests to full two-visit screening batteries, and encourages repeat testing to capture health changes over time. During the study, participants receive individualized reports including investigational estimates of biological age and predicted cause of death. Researchers collect data on mortality, serious health events, chronic diseases, functional ability, and lifestyle changes through periodic follow-up over many years, potentially up to 100 years. This extensive data collection helps evaluate how well these measurements predict aging outcomes. All data are stored in raw form for future analysis and participants are supported with ongoing contact and opportunities for repeat assessments.

Researchers are evaluating how a combined program of aerobic and resistance exercises along with cognitive training affects brain function in older adults aged 60 and above. The study focuses on people who are sedentary and may or may not have cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, conditions known to impact memory and attention. This trial aims to compare the effects of physical exercise alone versus combined physical and cognitive training on thinking skills and brain health. The trial includes three groups: one group will do both cognitive and physical training, another will do only aerobic and resistance exercises, and the third group will perform stretching and toning exercises as an active control. Each group participates in three sessions per week for 46 weeks, with options to train at home or at a center. The physical exercise sessions include warm-up, moderate to vigorous aerobic activity monitored by heart rate, and resistance training, while cognitive training involves computer-based memory and attention tasks. Participants will undergo assessments at the start and after 12 months to measure changes in general cognition, processing speed, executive functions, and memory. Brain imaging and blood flow measures will also be evaluated to observe changes in brain structure and function. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for exercise intensity and adherence. The total study duration covers 12 months, with safety and cognitive outcomes closely tracked to understand the impact of these interventions.

Researchers are investigating how transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, affects working memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to cognitively healthy older adults. This mechanistic study aims to understand the brain and cognitive function changes caused by a single session of tDCS. The study uses advanced brain imaging and machine learning to analyze the effects of stimulation on brain structure and working memory performance during specific tasks. Participants will receive either active or sham tDCS using a neuroConn MR-safe device that delivers 2.0 mA current through electrodes placed on the scalp over frontal brain regions. Active stimulation lasts 12 minutes with gradual ramp-up and ramp-down, while sham stimulation mimics the sensation but only delivers current for 30 seconds. Each participant completes three runs of an N-back working memory task before, during, and after stimulation. The study uses a randomized, double-blind, crossover design with at least two weeks between sessions. Throughout the study, participants undergo cognitive testing and brain MRI scans to measure working memory accuracy and brain connectivity changes. The main outcome is working memory performance on the 2-back task comparing active versus sham stimulation. Researchers will also monitor safety and participant ability to perform the tasks and tolerate stimulation. The total participation period includes multiple sessions spaced to allow for washout and evaluation of stimulation effects, with the study concluding by late 2029.

Researchers are studying a new approach to reduce unnecessary screening mammograms in women aged 75 and older. This trial focuses on decreasing overuse of mammography, which may cause more harm than benefit in older women due to factors like shorter life expectancy and risks from follow-up procedures. The study aims to test a multilevel strategy involving patients, providers, and healthcare organizations to better align mammography use with current guidelines and patient needs. The study compares two groups: one receiving enhanced usual care with organizational support such as provider education and consensus-building task forces, and another receiving this plus additional provider and patient interventions. Providers in the intervention group receive educational newsletters, and patients receive a brochure encouraging discussions with their providers about the appropriateness of continuing mammograms. Organizational components apply to all participants across selected clinics. Participants will be monitored for 18 months to assess screening mammography overuse, provider ordering behavior, and mammography screening discussions. Data will be collected through scheduled primary care visits and healthcare records. The study involves a cluster randomized controlled design at the provider level and includes diverse older women. Safety and study outcomes will be tracked throughout the trial period.

Researchers are evaluating a combined sleep promotion and cognitive training intervention to help improve cognitive function in older survivors of intensive care units (ICU). This study focuses on adults aged 60 and older who are at high risk for delirium and cognitive decline similar to mild Alzheimer's disease after ICU discharge. The study aims to assess whether these interventions can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by addressing sleep deficiency, inactivity, and circadian rhythm disturbances common in ICU survivors. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a combination of nighttime sleep promotion using earplugs and eye masks plus daily 30-minute computerized cognitive training sessions; cognitive training alone; sleep promotion alone; or an active control group receiving educational modules on brain health. The interventions last up to seven days following ICU discharge, with cognitive training sessions scheduled based on individual circadian rhythms measured by a wearable sensor. During the study, participants will be monitored using body temperature sensors to optimize the timing of cognitive training. Researchers will assess cognitive function, including executive function and working memory, at several time points: within seven days after hospital discharge, and at one, six, and twelve months follow-up. The study also examines how sleep and activity may influence cognitive outcomes, with safety and ongoing care monitored throughout the study period, which concludes in May 2027.

Researchers are evaluating a new 360-degree dual-task training to improve cognitive function in elderly people with subjective memory complaints or mild cognitive impairment. The study aims to develop an interactive and realistic rehabilitation program and test its effectiveness in these two groups. This research explores non-drug approaches to support brain health in early stages of cognitive decline. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: receiving the 360-degree media training or treatment as usual (TAU). The training includes two phases: first, supervised sessions in hospital using a head-mounted display; then, unsupervised sessions at home using a tablet with a non-immersive version of the program. Both memory complaint and mild cognitive impairment groups will be evenly divided between these treatments. During the study, participants will undergo cognitive and motor function tests immediately after completing the training. The hospital sessions are supervised by therapists, while home sessions are done independently. Researchers will measure changes in brain function and physical abilities using a full neuropsychological battery. The total study period includes in-hospital and at-home rehabilitation phases to assess the training's impact on cognitive health.

Researchers are investigating how a combination of brain stimulation and aerobic exercise can improve thinking skills, mobility, and brain function in older adults with cognitive frailty. This trial compares different types of theta burst stimulation, including intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) primed with continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), non-priming iTBS, and sham stimulation, to understand their effects on brain structure and function. The study aims to identify how these treatments impact cognition and movement and the brain mechanisms behind these changes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups receiving different theta burst stimulation protocols three times a week for three months: cTBS followed by iTBS, sham cTBS followed by iTBS, or sham cTBS followed by sham iTBS. After each stimulation session, all participants will take part in 60-minute aerobic exercise sessions for a total of six months. The brain stimulation will be delivered using a special coil guided by MRI scans to target specific brain areas. During the study, participants will undergo tests at the start, three months, and six months to assess their cognitive abilities, mobility, and brain activity. These include memory and attention tests, physical performance measures like gait speed and balance, and brain imaging scans. Researchers will also monitor physical activity levels, mood, fatigue, and daily functioning. The total involvement includes 39 stimulation sessions and ongoing exercise, with comprehensive evaluations throughout the study period.

This research investigates how aging affects motor control, focusing on healthy elderly individuals and patients with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers aim to understand differences in upper limb motor adaptation and to develop interventions that improve motor function and cognitive abilities through multisensory rhythmic skill training. The study also uses artificial intelligence to classify grasp patterns among young adults, elderly, and those with mild cognitive impairment. Participants are assigned to one of three groups: virtual reality-based rhythmic skill training using VR headsets and controllers for 35 minutes, rhythmic skill training with visual feedback via a computer interface for 35 minutes, or an upper limb strengthening exercise program supervised by a therapist. These interventions include various exercises and sensory stimulations designed to enhance motor planning, execution, and cognitive processing. Throughout the study, participants undergo assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks to measure changes in grip behavior, sensory perception, manual dexterity, and cognitive function using tests like the Mini-Mental Status Examination and Purdue pegboard test. Researchers monitor motor adaptation and cognitive improvements, with the overall goal of preserving independence and quality of life for the elderly. The study is randomized and double-blind, lasting up to 16 weeks.

Researchers are evaluating a new psychosocial program called Hopeful and Healthy Living (HHL) to help adults over 50 with serious mental illness increase social connections and adopt healthier lifestyle habits. This pilot randomized trial compares the HHL program with usual treatment to see if it improves social support, reduces loneliness, enhances psychosocial and cognitive functioning, and promotes better sleep, activity, and diet over one year. Participants in the experimental group will join the 16-week HHL group intervention, which meets weekly for 90 minutes. The sessions focus on social skills, cognitive self-management strategies, and healthy lifestyle routines including exercise, diet, and sleep. Each class includes practice, group exercises, and personalized take-home activities. The control group continues their regular treatment without the additional program. During the study, participants complete interviews and questionnaires at the start and at 4, 8, and 12 months. Assessments include cognitive tests, social support and loneliness scales, physical activity, diet, and sleep quality measures. Researchers will analyze these outcomes to determine the impact of the HHL program compared to usual care. The study runs through July 2028 and is sponsored by Boston University Charles River Campus.