Abstract
BackgroundIn 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.MethodsOne 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).DiscussionThis 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 registrationClinical trial Identifier NCT04635462. COVEPIC was retrospectively registered on November 19, 2020.
Highlights
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown and social distancing measures are applied to prevent the spread of the virus
This trial will document the remote monitoring of home-based physical exercise alone and homebased physical combined with cognitive training to enhance cognitive and physical health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period
Older adults represent a group at higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 [1,2,3], for whom social distancing measures are of paramount importance
Summary
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. Older adults represent a group at higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 [1,2,3], for whom social distancing measures are of paramount importance. Refraining from outings for a long period implies an important reduction in social interactions and a substantial increase in physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors likely to impact the populations’ health. Adapted and effective solutions are needed to enhance physical health and cognition in seniors while maintaining social distancing during this pandemic period
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