Schedule of Events | Symposia

Combining gamified cognitive training and walking: A pilot study

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Julissa Ruiz¹ (julissa.ruiz@cshs.org), Michael Sobolev¹, Katherine Barnhill¹, Marie Lauzon¹, Arash Asher¹, Jun Gong¹, Celina H. Shirazipour¹, Gillian Gresham¹, Aaron Seitz², Sarah-Jeanne Salvy¹; ¹Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, ²Northeastern University

Introduction: Cognitive training and physical activity independently benefit cognitive functioning. Their combined benefits are not well understood. This pilot trial tests the efficacy of supplementing daily walking with gamified inhibitory control on cognitive and activity outcomes among individuals experiencing cognitive challenges. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to (1) daily 30-min walks (Walk), or (2) alternating days of 30-min walks and 30-min app-based cognitive training (Walk & Play). Participants completed a cognitive battery at baseline and post-intervention. Activity metrics and adherence to cognitive training were captured through self reported and objective data. Paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used for pre vs. post comparisons. Results: Participants (n=32; M age = 61) were majority women (84%), with cognitive challenges related to cancer history (75%). Adherence was high, with 81% (Walk) and 94% (Walk & Play) of participants completing all assigned walks. Over 87% of Walk & Play participants completed all of cognitive trainings. Post intervention, Walk & Play participants’ performance improved on Rule Switch (p = 0.028), UCancellation (p = 0.007), and Corsi (p = 0.04) tasks compared to pre assestment. Walk & Play further showed significant increase in active minutes (p=.014), while Walk had a significant reduction in sedentary time (p=.0006). Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility of remotely delivered physical activity and cognitive training, with benefits in cognitive performance and activity metrics. Research is needed to determine the sustainability of intervention gains, as well as how to best combine activity and cognitive training for optimal transfer to real-world tasks.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Other