Daily Exercise Breaks for Cognitive and Psychological Health

(MOVD Trial)

Overseen By Instructor of Medicine, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Physical activity contraindications, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to assess a novel, widely-accessible intervention to both promote active breaks from work and improve cognitive and psychological performances at work in motivationally-accessible bouts. This will be done by interrupting prolonged sitting with 1-4 short (1-4 minutes), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts with no equipment, and simple video-based instructions. The short bouts will be referred to as "exercise snacks." In this proposed exercise snacks intervention, investigators explicitly target a population with sedentary jobs due to the generalizability.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Daily Exercise Snacks for cognitive and psychological health?

Research shows that regular physical exercise, like the Daily Exercise Snacks, can improve brain health and cognitive function in older adults. Studies have found that exercise helps maintain executive function (mental skills used in managing tasks) and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is daily exercise safe for humans?

Research shows that short bursts of exercise, known as exercise snacks, are generally safe for people, including the elderly and those with conditions like obesity and diabetes. These exercises help improve physical function and reduce risks of falls and metabolic diseases without significant safety concerns. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the treatment 'Daily Exercise Snacks' differ from other treatments for cognitive and psychological health?

Daily Exercise Snacks are unique because they involve short, frequent bouts of exercise throughout the day, which can improve cognitive function and mood without the need for medication. Unlike traditional treatments that may rely on drugs or longer exercise sessions, this approach offers a flexible, low-tech option that can be easily integrated into daily routines, especially benefiting older adults who may not tolerate pharmacological treatments well. ^{2 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Marily Oppezzo, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with sedentary jobs who are interested in breaking up their sitting time with short bursts of physical activity. Participants should be motivated to follow video-based instructions for simple exercises without equipment.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must be English speaking

Participants must not be currently taking regular activity breaks at work

I spend most of my work day sitting.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently participating in another worksite physical activity intervention

I have a condition that worsens with increased physical activity.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Baseline

Participants complete a baseline survey and set up study accounts

2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Intervention

Participants engage in a 6-week exercise snack intervention with randomized group assignments

6 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Maintenance

Participants take part in booster sessions to maintain behavior change

6 months

4 booster sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for behavioral data and complete semi-structured interviews

6 months

Data collection via Zoom

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Daily Exercise Snacks

Trial Overview The study tests 'exercise snacks'—1-4 minute bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity done throughout the workday. The goal is to see if these active breaks can improve mental and emotional well-being at work.

Participant Groups

Group I: 4x4 Exercise Snacks/Day Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assigned a daily goal of 4, 4-minute exercise snack to break up prolonged sitting.

Group II: 4x1 Exercise Snacks / Day Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assigned a daily goal of 4, 1-minute exercise snack to break up prolonged sitting.

Group III: 1 x 4 Exercise Snack / Day Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assigned a daily goal of 1, 4-minute exercise snack to break up prolonged sitting.

Group IV: 1 x 1 minute Exercise Snack / Day Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be assigned a daily goal of 1, 1-minute exercise snack to break up prolonged sitting.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Findings from Research

This study will investigate the effects of a 24-week resistance exercise program on executive function in 90 cognitively normal older adults aged 65-80, aiming to determine if physical exercise can improve cognitive decline associated with aging.

The trial will assess various outcomes, including changes in brain structure, function, and molecular biomarkers, to understand the mechanisms by which resistance exercise may benefit cognitive health and potentially reduce dementia risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging (AGUEDA): protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Solis-Urra, P., Molina-Hidalgo, C., García-Rivero, Y., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 27 studies involving 2565 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) found that physical and mental exercises, such as Tai Chi and dance, significantly improved cognitive performance, as indicated by various cognitive assessment scores.

These exercises not only enhanced cognitive abilities but also positively affected biomarkers, increasing levels of the beneficial αβ1-42 protein and decreasing Tau protein levels, suggesting a potential mechanism for their efficacy in managing MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of mind-body exercise on cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis study. Cai, H., Zhang, K., Wang, M., et al.[2023]

Regular physical exercise, particularly aerobic and mind-body exercises, positively impacts executive function in cognitively healthy adults aged 60 and older, improving working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.

Interventions lasting more than 13 weeks showed significant improvements in working memory and cognitive flexibility, while those over 26 weeks enhanced inhibitory control, highlighting the importance of exercise duration for cognitive benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of physical exercise on executive function in cognitively healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: Physical exercise for executive function. Xiong, J., Ye, M., Wang, L., et al.[2021]

Exercise snacks, which are short bursts of physical activity, can effectively reduce sedentary behavior and promote regular exercise habits, making them a practical solution for overcoming barriers to physical activity.

Research shows that exercise snacks are safe and beneficial for various populations, including the elderly and individuals with obesity or diabetes, as they improve physical function, reduce fall risk, and enhance cardiorespiratory fitness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Applying an Exercise Snack-Based Health Promotion Strategy]. Huang, CH., Yen, M.[2023]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging (AGUEDA): protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigating Gains in Neurocognition in an Intervention Trial of Exercise (IGNITE): Protocol. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of mind-body exercise on cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis study. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise for cognitive brain health in aging: A systematic review for an evaluation of dose. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of physical exercise on executive function in cognitively healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: Physical exercise for executive function. [2021]

6. China (Republic : 1949- ) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Applying an Exercise Snack-Based Health Promotion Strategy]. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise Snacks: A Novel Strategy to Improve Cardiometabolic Health. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Different Physical Activity Levels during a Single Day on Energy Intake, Appetite, and Energy Balance: A Preliminary Study. [2020]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Exercise on Appetite in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a mid-morning snack and moderate-intensity exercise on acute appetite and energy intake in 12-14-year-old adolescents. [2017]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can exercise prevent cognitive decline? [2022]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Exercise-Induced Set Shifting Benefits in Healthy Adults and Its Moderators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2021]

13. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise intensity and frequency on improving cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot randomized controlled trial on the minimum physical activity recommendation from WHO. [2022]

14. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Move Your Body, Boost Your Brain: The Positive Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition across All Age Groups. [2023]