Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Calisthenics for Rural Elderly With Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, Routine Care.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cognition Disorders, Aged. Basic parameters: from 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
A Study on the Application of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Calisthenics in Rural Elderly With Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome
Overview
The aging of China's rural population is severe, with both the prevalence and mortality rates of dementia higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR), as a novel pre-dementia syndrome characterized by both subjective cognitive decline and slow gait, represents a "golden window of opportunity" for the early prevention and treatment of dementia. Currently, there is no specific pharmacological treatment for MCR; non-pharmacological interventions, particularly exercise interventions, are key strategies. Moderate-intensity aerobic calisthenics, which integrates music, dance, and gymnastic elements, is economical, simple, highly engaging, safe, and has demonstrated potential for improving both cognitive and gait function, making it especially suitable for promotion in resource-limited rural settings. However, there is a lack of systematic, theory-guided exercise intervention protocols and effectiveness validation for rural older adults with MCR. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate a moderate-intensity aerobic calisthenics intervention protocol tailored to this population.
Detailed description
Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR), first defined by Verghese et al. in 2013, refers to the coexistence of subjective cognitive decline and slow gait in older adults without dementia or movement disorders, representing a novel pre-dementia syndrome situated between normal aging and dementia. The global prevalence of MCR is 9.0% (range: 2.4%-33.3%) , and the prevalence among Chinese older adults ranges from 4.00% to 13.85% , with higher rates in rural than urban areas-reaching as high as 16.7% in rural Anhui Province. MCR significantly increases the risk of dementia (three-fold) and particularly vascular dementia (12-fold) , and also elevates the incidence of falls, disability, and mortality. Cohort studies have shown that 22.1% of individuals with MCR progress to dementia, 57.5% remain in the MCR state, and 20.3% revert to normal cognition. This reversibility suggests that MCR represents a critical window for the ultra-early prevention and treatment of dementia.
Moderate-intensity aerobic calisthenics, which integrates music, dance, and gymnastic elements, is a form of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Evidence indicates that it effectively improves cognitive and physical function in older adults, exerts superior cognitive benefits compared to other exercise types, and reduces loneliness and depressive symptoms. The participation rate in physical exercise among older adults in rural China is only 33.9%-48.29%, limited by objective constraints such as lack of facilities and equipment, and monotonous forms of exercise. Aerobic calisthenics, characterized by its economy, simplicity, high appeal, and safety, is well-suited for promotion in rural areas. However, no studies to date have reported the application effects of this intervention in the MCR population, and thus investigating its intervention value in rural older adults with MCR holds significant research importance.
Interventions
- Other moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
Based on routine health education, the intervention group receives a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention (Jiamusi Happy Dance Steps) lasting 60 minutes per session, three times per week, delivered in a group setting, followed by a 12-week follow-up period. - Other Routine Care
While maintaining daily living habits unchanged, provide knowledge related to health education for Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) and receive the MCR health education manual.
Primary outcome measures
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- Walking speed [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
Secondary outcome measures (9)
- Subjective Cognitive Decline-questionnaire 9 [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- short physical performance battery [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- Handgrip strength [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- Body fat [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- World Health Organization Well-being Index [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
- The Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire (Exercise Version) [Time frame: The intervention was carried out in August 2026, and the assessment period was 0,3,6 months.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥60 years;
- Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Motor Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR);
- Clear consciousness and ability to communicate clearly;
- Permanent residents of rural areas in nine prefecture-level cities of Fujian Province (with an annual residence of ≥9 months) and no plan to relocate within the next year; -⑤ Willing to voluntarily participate and sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
- Presence of severe mental disorders, history of stroke, Parkinson's disease, or severe visual/auditory impairments;
- Physical disability that prevents independent walking;
- Comorbid severe systemic diseases, such as cardiopulmonary conditions; -④ Regular exercise habits within the past 6 months (≥30 minutes/day, ≥3 days/week) or a long-term history of exercise; -⑤ Current participation in other interventional studies.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Fujian Medical University — Fuzhou
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07658469 · 2026-04-27