Mindful Walking Neural Correlates of Executive Function in SC Older Adults at Risk of Dementias (NCT07638046)
The Impact of Mindful Walking on Neural Correlates of Executive Function in SC Older Adults at Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementias
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
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.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: University of South Carolina — Columbia, South Carolina
Age range: 60 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Mindfulness-based walking (BEHAVIORAL)
- Walking-only (BEHAVIORAL)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of South Carolina — Columbia, South Carolina
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (803) 999-7392
Email: HPRINE@email.sc.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
Explore by condition: All Older Adults With Elevated Dementia Risk clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.