NCT07638046 · University of South Carolina
Mindful Walking Neural Correlates of Executive Function in SC Older Adults at Risk of Dementias
What this study is about
Mindful walking is a promising and practical strategy because it combines two activities known to support healthy aging: walking and mindfulness. Unlike many structured exercise programs, mindful walking is low intensity, accessible, and easier to sustain in daily life. It may be especially useful for older adults at elevated risk for ADRD.
View original scientific description
Mindful walking is a promising and practical strategy because it combines two activities known to support healthy aging: walking and mindfulness. Unlike many structured exercise programs, mindful walking is low intensity, accessible, and easier to sustain in daily life. It may be especially useful for older adults at elevated risk for ADRD. However, most existing mindful walking studies have focused on mental health outcomes, such as stress reduction, rather than cognitive health. Little is known about whether mindful walking can support cognition or how it may influence brain function. To address this gap and strengthen a future R01 resubmission, the investigators propose a two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a safe, non-invasive brain imaging method. fNIRS measures brain activity through sensors placed on the scalp and is well-suited for repeated assessments in older adults because it is quiet, portable, painless, and cost-effective. The investigators will recruit racially and ethnically diverse middle-aged and older adults from the Midlands of South Carolina who are at elevated risk for ADRD. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: mindful walking or walking-only control. Both groups will complete 8 staff-supervised individual sessions over 4 weeks. The mindful walking group will learn and practice simple mindfulness skills while walking in multiple settings, including lab-based, indoor, and outdoor environments, to support real-world use. Findings from this pilot study will provide important evidence on whether mindful walking can support brain and cognitive health in adults at elevated risk for ADRD. The results will also help establish a practical, scalable, and sustainable prevention strategy for underserved aging populations in South Carolina.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Mindfulness-based walking
Implementing mindfulness skills during the walking movement
BEHAVIORAL
Walking-only
Older adults will participate in 8 sessions of walking over one month without being trained on mindfulness skills.
Primary outcome measures
Hemodynamic activation signal
Time frame: Assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks
Hemodynamic activation in the prefrontal and parietal regions as an indication of EF. Neural activation will be measured using functional nearinfrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Age 60 or older
- Sedentary (sit ≥9hrs per day) and not meeting the US physical activity guidelines
- Have at least one of the following ADRD risk factors: i. family history of ADRD (\>= first-degree relative) ii. subjective experience of cognitive complaints iii. currently overweight or obese (BMI≥25)
- Adequate hearing, visual and cognitive ability to complete study tasks and assessments
- Able to walk without others' assistance
- Medically stable with or without medication (do not expect to have major health status changes or a surgery in the next 4 months)
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of ADRD or other brain abnormalities (i.e., strokes, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease)
- Diagnosis of mental disorders (i.e., depression)
- Inability to complete surveys on mobile device or wear the activity monitor (i.e., due to arthritis, physical limitations, or other reasons)
- Plan to move or have surgery in next 4 months
- Currently participate in other study involving physical activity or cognitive training that may interfere with the study outcomes
- Unable to provide consent due to disabilities
Where
- Columbia, South Carolina
Collaborators
USC Center for Clinical and Translational Research
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Frequently asked questions
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Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 10, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations