60 Participants Needed

High-Intensity Exercise for Cognitive Impairment with HIV

RJ
Overseen ByRaymond Jones, Ph.D.
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Must be taking: HIV ART
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a single site, randomized exercise trial with individuals at least 50 years of age living with HIV who experience suboptimal cognition. The overall goals of this proposal are to determine whether 16 weeks of structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can overcome vascular and cognitive impairments (Aim 1) to a greater extent than continuous moderate exercise. Additionally, investigator will seek to identify barriers to engagement in exercise and the participants' perceptions of the study and exercise interventions (Aim 2). This study will enroll 60 participants in Birmingham, Alabama. Data collection will occur at each visit, with baseline data collected at the initial visit with a 3-month follow-up occurring following completion of the intervention.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must have been on prescribed HIV ART (antiretroviral therapy) for at least 12 months and not be using older drugs with known mitochondrial toxicity.

What data supports the effectiveness of high-intensity exercise for cognitive impairment in individuals with HIV?

Research shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve physical fitness and endurance in older adults with HIV, which may help slow down the aging process. However, while physical performance benefits were observed, improvements in cognitive ability were not reliably demonstrated, indicating further research is needed to explore its impact on cognition.12345

Is high-intensity exercise safe for people with HIV?

Research shows that high-intensity exercise, like HIIT, is generally safe for people living with HIV. Studies found improvements in fitness and no harmful effects on the immune system, making it a recommended activity for this group.12567

How does high-intensity exercise differ from other treatments for cognitive impairment with HIV?

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is unique because it is a time-efficient exercise strategy that can provide similar or even better health benefits compared to traditional aerobic exercise. It has been shown to improve cognitive function in various conditions, potentially making it a promising option for cognitive impairment with HIV.89101112

Research Team

RJ

Raymond Jones, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 50 living with HIV who have cognitive challenges and a sedentary lifestyle. They must be on HIV treatment without old drugs known to harm mitochondria, speak English, and not engage in moderate exercise more than 150 minutes per week. Exclusions include severe heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, kidney or mitochondrial diseases, active substance abuse, orthopedic limitations to exercise, other trials' participation, or needing oxygen for lung issues.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been on HIV treatment for over a year without using drugs known to harm mitochondria.
Able to speak, read, and write in English
I am 50 years old or older.
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have chronic kidney disease.
I have been diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease.
My diabetes is not well-managed.
See 8 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Baseline data collection including vascular function and cognitive assessments

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo 16 weeks of structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or continuous moderate exercise

16 weeks
Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including 3-month post-intervention assessments

3 months
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Continuous Moderate Exercise
  • High-Intensity Interval Training
Trial OverviewThe study compares two types of exercises: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus continuous moderate exercise to see which better improves blood vessel health and brain function in older adults with HIV after 12 weeks. It also explores participants' barriers to exercising and their views on the interventions.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: High-Intensity Interval TrainingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Continuous Moderate ExerciseActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,677
Recruited
2,458,000+

Findings from Research

A pilot study involving 26 older adults with HIV showed that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with resistance training significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness, with a 17.1% increase in VO2peak after HIIT.
Both HIIT and continuous high-intensity aerobic exercise (AEX) led to improvements in exercise endurance and strength, indicating that structured exercise programs can effectively combat the effects of advanced aging in adults with HIV.
Feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training in older adults living with HIV.Briggs, BC., Ryan, AS., Sorkin, JD., et al.[2021]
The HEALTH study aims to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus continuous moderate exercise (CME) on physical function, fatigue, and mitochondrial health in 100 older adults living with HIV over a total of 28 weeks.
The study also includes a biobehavioral coaching and mobile health text messaging intervention to encourage long-term adherence to physical activity, which could lead to tailored exercise recommendations for aging individuals with HIV.
The High-Intensity Exercise Study to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits in Older Adults With HIV (HEALTH): A Research Protocol.Oliveira, VHF., Erlandson, KM., Cook, PF., et al.[2023]
A 12-week exercise program combining high-intensity interval training and resistance exercises improved physical performance in people with HIV, with effect sizes ranging from 0.2 to 1.5.
However, the program did not lead to significant improvements in cognitive ability, as measured by the Brief Cognitive Ability Measure (B-CAM), indicating that while exercise benefits physical health, its effects on cognitive function in this population remain unclear.
Feasibility and potential benefits of a structured exercise program on cognitive performance in HIV.Kaur, N., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., Fellows, LK., et al.[2022]

References

Feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training in older adults living with HIV. [2021]
The High-Intensity Exercise Study to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits in Older Adults With HIV (HEALTH): A Research Protocol. [2023]
Feasibility and potential benefits of a structured exercise program on cognitive performance in HIV. [2022]
Effectiveness of a home-based exercise intervention for HIV-infected adults: a randomized trial. [2022]
HIV and aerobic exercise. Current recommendations. [2018]
Brief Report: Effects of Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training in Hispanic HIV+ Women: A Nonrandomized Study. [2021]
Effects of 16 Weeks of Concurrent Training on Resting Heart Rate Variability and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in People Living With HIV/AIDS Using Antiretroviral Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2018]
Effect of home-based high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training in patients with myocardial infarction: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]
Study protocol for the BRAIN Training Trial: a randomised controlled trial of Balance, Resistance, And INterval training on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. [2023]
[Research advances on high-intensity interval training and cognitive function]. [2021]
High-Intensity Interval Circuit Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Functional Ability and Body Mass Index in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]
Personalized Moderate-Intensity Exercise Training Combined with High-Intensity Interval Training Enhances Training Responsiveness. [2020]