Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42098784›Full record

Trial reportTrials2026

A randomised controlled trial of physical activity and cognitive training in older adults: the PhABHeaD study.

Nicolas Cherbuin, Joseph M Northey, Erin I Walsh, Richard A Burns, Hollie Speer, Nicholas Lawlis, Tergel Namsrai, Amanda Scott, Vicki McCarthy, Jo Lane and 4 more

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Trials, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Nicolas CherbuinNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. nicolas.cherbuin@anu.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6481-0748
Joseph M NortheyDiscipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Erin I WalshNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Richard A BurnsNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Hollie SpeerUC Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Nicholas LawlisDiscipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Tergel NamsraiNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Amanda ScottUC Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Vicki McCarthyDiscipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Jo LaneNational Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Jeroen J A van BoxtelUC Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
Amit LampitDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Anne BrüstleJohn Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Ben RattrayDiscipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRobust empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of physical and cognitive training in preventing and delaying cognitive decline. Emerging research suggests distinct neurobiological mechanisms underpin the effects of these different training modalities. An unresolved question is whether the mechanisms through which these training modalities impart their effect interact synergistically to improve cognitive outcomes, rather than exerting additive effects, differ. In addition, past research has been inconsistent in adequately controlling for or documenting the dosage of physical and/or cognitive training. Consequently, the aim of this study is to assess the relative effectiveness of physical and cognitive training conducted in isolation or concurrently, whilst rigorously controlling and documenting the treatment parameters.

methodsThis study is a three-arm randomised controlled trial conducted over a 3-month period, comparing cognitive training, physical activity, and a combination of both interventions. Older cognitively healthy participants (n = 126) aged 60-75 years will be recruited from the community. The physical only training will require participants to cycle on a cycle ergometer at above 60% of their age-predicted heart rate maximum for 50 min with a 3-min warm-up and cool-down period. The cognitive only training will require participants to complete up to five different cognitive tasks selected from a set of eight on the BrainHQ platform during each 50-min training session. The concurrent cognitive and physical training will require participants to undertake both treatments at the same time. Primary outcomes, assessed pre- and post- intervention, will include speed of processing and episodic memory assessed with the NIH Toolbox, as well as general driving skills assessed on a driving simulator. DISCUSSION: Findings will inform the design of interventions and population health advice aimed at mitigating cognitive decline. If a substantial synergetic effect is detected, it may lead to the use of more widespread concurrent physical and cognitive training and the potential development of methods to make concurrent training practical. Findings will also provide important clarification as to the relative benefit of the two modes of training.

trial registrationProspective registration with Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12624001088538) on 10th September 2024 and World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry (U1111-1280-3851).

Indexed as

CognitionCognitive AgingCognitive TrainingExerciseExercise TherapyAgedAge FactorsCognitive EnhancementFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedResearch DesignTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeCognitionConcurrent trainingDrivingPhysical activityRandomised controlled trial

Identifiers

PMID42098784
PMCPMC13321517

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.