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Effect of Episodic Future Thinking on Promoting Physical Activity Among Older Adults With Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

China166 participantsStarted 2026-05

Plain-language summary

Motor Cognitive Risk (MCR), a pre-dementia state characterized by the coexistence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and slow gait speed, has a high prevalence among community-dwelling older adults in China and is associated with significantly increased risks of progression to dementia and other adverse health outcomes. Physical activity is the most cost-effective non-pharmacological intervention for slowing cognitive decline and the modifiable factor with the greatest contribution to dementia prevention. However, older adults with cognitive impairment commonly face behavioral challenges such as insufficient physical activity and difficulty maintaining adherence. Episodic Future Thinking (EFT), a novel intervention strategy grounded in health psychology and behavioral economics, has been shown to promote healthy behaviors by reducing delay discounting rates and enhancing future orientation. The goal of this randomized controlled study is to test the effect of EFT intervention in promoting physical activity among older adults with MCR.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Participants will be eligible for inclusion if they are 60 years of age or older and meet all of the following four criteria: * 1\. Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) Assessed using the Chinese version of the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire-9 (SCD-9). A total score greater than 5 is considered indicative of SCD. * 2\. Slow Gait Participants will walk 4 meters at their usual pace. Gait speed will be calculated using the recorded time, and gait speed \<1.0 m/s will be classified as slow gait. * 3\. No Difficulty in Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Participants must report no difficulty in the following six basic ADL domains: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and eating. * 4\. No Dementia No self-reported history of dementia and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥24, indicating the absence of dementia. Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following conditions: * 1\. Severe visual or hearing impairment that interferes with communication or assessment. * 2\. Primary psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. * 3\. Significant language or communication difficulties that prevent completion of assessments or participation in the intervention. * 4\. Severe diseases of major organs or systems, such as advanced heart failure, end-stage renal disease, or active malignancy, that may affect safety or participation. * 5\. Any other condition that, in the …

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.

What they're measuring

Intention to engage in physical activity

Timeframe: At baseline (T0), week 4 (T1), week 8 (T2), week 12 (T3), and four weeks after the end of the intervention (week 16, T4)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07554027

SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

Jingfen Jin

+86-0571-87783887 zrjzkhl@zju.edu.cn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Physical Activities trials