Exercise as a Primer for Brain Stimulation in Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (VCIND) (NCT05079464) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Exercise as a Primer for Brain Stimulation in Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (VCIND)
Canada64 participantsStarted 2021-11-22
Plain-language summary
People with vascular conditions are at risk of having memory problems, and these memory problems increase the risk for further cognitive decline. Brain stimulation has been used to improve mood and memory. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is believed to work best on brain cells that are active or "primed" before stimulation. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of exercise and tDCS on memory performance in patients who have completed cardiac rehabilitation and are at risk of cognitive decline.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* ≥50 years of age; females must be post-menopausal
* Presence of cerebrovascular and/or cardiovascular risk factors or coronary artery disease
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) \<27
* Sufficiently proficient in English
* Must be able to exercise at a moderate intensity level
* Presence of modest deficits (1 standard deviation below population norm) in one of the following domains: executive function, verbal memory, working memory, or visuospatial memory
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of stroke
* Change in psychotropics within the last 4 weeks
* Current benzodiazepine use due
* Metal implants that would preclude safe use of tDCS or neuroimaging
* Significant neurological or psychiatric conditions (current major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
* MoCA \<18 and/or clinical diagnosis of dementia
* Any medical contraindications to exercise
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.