Cognitive ChangeHUBODNCT04760054
Effects of a Complex, Partnered Martial Arts-based Intervention on Cognitive Function
A study testing HUBOD and Active Comparator in people with Cognitive Change and Processing, Visual Spatial, run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The investigators' study is designed to test whether brief exposure to a martial arts-based intervention (a coordinative, partnered training exercise known as "Hubod"), can improve cognitive function to a greater degree than aerobic exercise of a similar intensity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cognitive Change, Processing, Visual Spatial, Inhibition (Psychology)
- What is being tested?
- HUBOD and Active Comparator
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 32 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 24 Mar 2021to 15 Dec 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Men and Women between the ages of 18-45 years who are low active
Who cannot join
- Anyone who is physically active (≥30 minutes, 3 or more times/week, for the last 3 months) and/or a regular practitioner of martial arts and/or highly complex coordination drills such as dance performance or contact improvisation (≥30 minutes, 3 or more times/week, for the last 3 months).
- Anyone with serious chronic medical conditions that would preclude them from participating without a physician present, or anyone with a risk of seizure, or anyone having psychiatric and/or neurological disorders.
- Pregnant women.
- Anyone incapable of performing the following movements at a moderate intensity- sitting, standing, kicking, pulling, pushing, bending one's elbows or bending one's knees.
- Anyone who scores 1 or more on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
- Anyone refusing or unwilling to be randomized into either of the conditions.
- Anyone who cannot commit to both 45 minute testing sessions or the five 30-minute training sessions.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Exercise, Technology, and Cognition Laboratory - Louise Freer Hall 284
Urbana, Illinois, 61801
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Complex, Partnered Martial Arts-based Intervention on Cognitive Function in Comparison to Aerobic Exercise and Attention-control Among Low-active Adults
The investigators' study is designed to test whether brief exposure to a martial arts-based intervention (a coordinative, partnered training exercise known as "Hubod"), can improve cognitive function to a greater degree than aerobic exercise of a similar intensity.
Read the detailed description
This three-arm randomized controlled trial will compare the feasibility, and possibly the effects, of a martial arts intervention vs. aerobic exercise vs. an attentional (non-exercise) control condition. The martial arts intervention will consist of a partnered, coordinated sensitivity exercise drawn from south-east Asian martial arts, known as Hubod (also spelt hubud and hubad). Participants will be trained in the fundamental movements of Hubod. Participants will also have the history, cultural significance, risks and purpose of Hubod explained to them throughout the study.
The aerobic exercise comparator group will use a stationary bicycle to match the duration and exercise intensity of the martial arts intervention group, under the supervision of trained research assistants. Participants will also receive information on aerobic exercise and the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2020.
Participants in the Videos Control group will watch educational videos on martial arts, physical fitness and exercise for the same duration as the intervention and exercise comparison groups. All participants, regardless of group, will be assessed for martial arts and exercise experience once at baseline.
All participants will be tested for cognitive performance change. Baseline and follow-up computerized cognitive testing will take place at a specified testing facility and psychosocial questionnaires will be delivered remotely via a Qualtrics-powered survey. After baseline testing, participants will attend 5 sessions, approximately 30 minutes each. Follow-up testing will be administered more than 48 hours post-intervention to minimize established acute adaptive responses to exercise.
The investigators hypothesize the martial arts training intervention group will exhibit a greater increase in performance of cognitive tasks when compared less complex movement patterns involved in the aerobic exercise group or videos control group.
- Being tested
- HUBOD, Active Comparator, Control Condition
- Keywords
- Cognitive Performance, Complex movement
- Medical subject headings
- Spatial Processing, Inhibition, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
HUBODBehavioural
Also called Martial Arts Experimental Exercise Group, Hubod Training Group
Participants in the intervention group will attend 5 separate training sessions instructing them in Hubod. The Hubod exercise is a partnered coordination drill involving moves derived from numerous martial arts, most often seen in the Filipino martial art of Kali. Participants will aim to reach a level of comfort and competency in the basic, non-competitive aspects of the Hubod exercise by the end of their participation in this intervention.
Active ComparatorBehavioural
Also called Exercise Comparison Group, Stationary Bike Group
Participants in the active comparator group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve a 5 minute warmup of joint mobilization exercises and mild pedaling on the bicycle before the main effort of continuously using the bicycle for approximately 20 minutes. The session finishes with a 5 minute cooldown period and light stretch. Heartrate will be monitored regularly in order to prevent this exercise exceeding the relative intensity of the Martial Arts intervention group. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups.
Control ConditionBehavioural
Participants in this group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve watching educational videos on martial arts techniques and training methods from a sedentary position. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| HUBOD martial arts practice | Experimental | Participants will be trained in the Hubod exercise over 5 separate training sessions. Sessions will last approximately 30 minutes, involving a warm up, review of material from the previous session and the learning of the next movement in the HUBOD sequence. Heartrate will be monitored periodically to make sure the intensity of exercise is consistent with mild to moderate cardiovascular exercise as in the active comparator. Receives: Behavioral: HUBOD |
| Active Comparator - Stationary Bicycle | Active comparator | Participants will be given 5 separate sessions, each approximating 30 minutes in duration, of mild to moderate intensity cardiovascular training on a stationary bicycle. Heartrate will be monitored periodically to make sure the intensity of exercise is consistent with mild to moderate exercise as in the Experimental group. Receives: Behavioral: Active Comparator |
| Attentional Control Group | Placebo comparator | Participants will be given 5 separate sessions, each approximating 30 minutes in duration, of watching videos on martial arts training methods and techniques. These sessions will be completely sedentary. Receives: Behavioral: Control Condition |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Digit Symbol Substitution task
Processing speed and working memory cognitive task using numbers and symbols. Participants will be presented with multiple rows of symbols, each one corresponding to a number on a 1-9 scale and they will have two minutes to correctly match (in sequential order) as many symbols to their numbers as possible. Performance is computed by adding the number of symbols correctly-matched within the allotted time.
Measured: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
n-2back memory task
Working memory cognitive task involving a sequence of shapes briefly appearing on a computer screen. If the shape on screen is identical to the shape two stages before, the participant will press the 'match' key. If they are not identical, the participant should do nothing. Performance is derived by the number of correctly-matched shapes in the sequence and calculating the average reaction time across the trials.
Measured: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Matrix Reasoning Task
Participants will be required to identify patterns among objects in an incomplete, 3x3 matrix, according to row and column, and to select the correct object that completes the remaining empty box from a list of potential objects. Performance will be assessed from the number of correct responses within the allotted time.
Measured: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Trail-Making Test
The trail-making test is a global cognition and spatial awareness assessment involving two parts. Respondents must complete each part as quickly as possible using a single, continuous pencil-drawn line. For Trails part A, the numbers 1-26 are randomly arranged on a sheet of paper and respondents are required to connect the numbers, in order, using a single pencil line. The pencil is not allowed to leave the paper until the task is complete. The same is true for Trails part B, but the sequence is now numero-alphabetic (1, A, 2, B, 3, C and so on). The task is complete when the participant reaches the end of the sequence. Performance will be measured by how long it takes the participant to complete parts A and B.
Measured: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Flanker Task
The Flanker task paradigm assesses inhibition control. The task utilizes pictures and symbols and is delivered using an iPad. Participants will be required to correctly identify, as fast as possible, the direction a central arrow among a set of surrounding arrows that are pointing in either congruent or incongruent directions. Performance will be assessed using average reaction time responses and accuracy across the congruent and incongruent trials. Inhibition percent interference will be calculated using the formula ((incongruent reaction time - congruent reaction time)/congruent reaction time) * 100.
Measured: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Feb 2021
- Study start24 Mar 2021
- Primary completion15 Dec 2021
- Study completion15 Dec 2021
Why it stopped: COVID-19
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cognitive ChangeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Three groups: One intervention, One Exercise Comparison, One Attentional Control
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sean Mullen, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Investigators
- Sean P Mullen, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04760054
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21174
- Acronym
- HUBOD
- Status last verified
- Aug 2022
- First submitted
- 15 Feb 2021
- Last updated
- 25 Aug 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: IPD will only be available to the Primary investigator and Lead research assistant of this study.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Aug 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a Complex, Partnered Martial Arts-based Intervention on Cognitive Function in Comparison to Aerobic Exercise and Attention-control Among Low-active Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04760054
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HUBOD / 21174
- Keywords
- Cognitive Performance, Complex movement
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: COVID-19
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 24 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Dec 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Feb 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators' study is designed to test whether brief exposure to a martial arts-based intervention (a coordinative, partnered training exercise known as "Hubod"), can improve cognitive function to a greater degree than aerobic exercise of a similar intensity.
Detailed description
This three-arm randomized controlled trial will compare the feasibility, and possibly the effects, of a martial arts intervention vs. aerobic exercise vs. an attentional (non-exercise) control condition. The martial arts intervention will consist of a partnered, coordinated sensitivity exercise drawn from south-east Asian martial arts, known as Hubod (also spelt hubud and hubad). Participants will be trained in the fundamental movements of Hubod. Participants will also have the history, cultural significance, risks and purpose of Hubod explained to them throughout the study.
The aerobic exercise comparator group will use a stationary bicycle to match the duration and exercise intensity of the martial arts intervention group, under the supervision of trained research assistants. Participants will also receive information on aerobic exercise and the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2020.
Participants in the Videos Control group will watch educational videos on martial arts, physical fitness and exercise for the same duration as the intervention and exercise comparison groups. All participants, regardless of group, will be assessed for martial arts and exercise experience once at baseline.
All participants will be tested for cognitive performance change. Baseline and follow-up computerized cognitive testing will take place at a specified testing facility and psychosocial questionnaires will be delivered remotely via a Qualtrics-powered survey. After baseline testing, participants will attend 5 sessions, approximately 30 minutes each. Follow-up testing will be administered more than 48 hours post-intervention to minimize established acute adaptive responses to exercise.
The investigators hypothesize the martial arts training intervention group will exhibit a greater increase in performance of cognitive tasks when compared less complex movement patterns involved in the aerobic exercise group or videos control group.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Three groups: One intervention, One Exercise Comparison, One Attentional Control
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| HUBOD martial arts practice | Experimental | Behavioral: HUBODParticipants will be trained in the Hubod exercise over 5 separate training sessions. Sessions will last approximately 30 minutes, involving a warm up, review of material from the previous session and the learning of the next movement in the HUBOD sequence. Heartrate will be monitored periodically to make sure the intensity of exercise is consistent with mild to moderate cardiovascular exercise as in the active comparator. |
| Active Comparator - Stationary Bicycle | Active comparator | Behavioral: Active ComparatorParticipants will be given 5 separate sessions, each approximating 30 minutes in duration, of mild to moderate intensity cardiovascular training on a stationary bicycle. Heartrate will be monitored periodically to make sure the intensity of exercise is consistent with mild to moderate exercise as in the Experimental group. |
| Attentional Control Group | Placebo comparator | Behavioral: Control ConditionParticipants will be given 5 separate sessions, each approximating 30 minutes in duration, of watching videos on martial arts training methods and techniques. These sessions will be completely sedentary. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Men and Women between the ages of 18-45 years who are low active
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Anyone who is physically active (≥30 minutes, 3 or more times/week, for the last 3 months) and/or a regular practitioner of martial arts and/or highly complex coordination drills such as dance performance or contact improvisation (≥30 minutes, 3 or more times/week, for the last 3 months).
- Anyone with serious chronic medical conditions that would preclude them from participating without a physician present, or anyone with a risk of seizure, or anyone having psychiatric and/or neurological disorders.
- Pregnant women.
- Anyone incapable of performing the following movements at a moderate intensity- sitting, standing, kicking, pulling, pushing, bending one's elbows or bending one's knees.
- Anyone who scores 1 or more on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| HUBODAlso: Martial Arts Experimental Exercise Group, Hubod Training GroupParticipants in the intervention group will attend 5 separate training sessions instructing them in Hubod. The Hubod exercise is a partnered coordination drill involving moves derived from numerous martial arts, most often seen in the Filipino martial art of Kali. Participants will aim to reach a level of comfort and competency in the basic, non-competitive aspects of the Hubod exercise by the end of their participation in this intervention. | Behavioural | HUBOD martial arts practice |
| Active ComparatorAlso: Exercise Comparison Group, Stationary Bike GroupParticipants in the active comparator group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve a 5 minute warmup of joint mobilization exercises and mild pedaling on the bicycle before the main effort of continuously using the bicycle for approximately 20 minutes. The session finishes with a 5 minute cooldown period and light stretch. Heartrate will be monitored regularly in order to prevent this exercise exceeding the relative intensity of the Martial Arts intervention group. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups. | Behavioural | Active Comparator - Stationary Bicycle |
| Control ConditionParticipants in this group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve watching educational videos on martial arts techniques and training methods from a sedentary position. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups. | Behavioural | Attentional Control Group |
Primary outcome
Digit Symbol Substitution task
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Processing speed and working memory cognitive task using numbers and symbols. Participants will be presented with multiple rows of symbols, each one corresponding to a number on a 1-9 scale and they will have two minutes to correctly match (in sequential order) as many symbols to their numbers as possible. Performance is computed by adding the number of symbols correctly-matched within the allotted time.
n-2back memory task
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Working memory cognitive task involving a sequence of shapes briefly appearing on a computer screen. If the shape on screen is identical to the shape two stages before, the participant will press the 'match' key. If they are not identical, the participant should do nothing. Performance is derived by the number of correctly-matched shapes in the sequence and calculating the average reaction time across the trials.
3 secondary outcomes
Matrix Reasoning Task
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Trail-Making Test
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Flanker Task
Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.
Results and safety
The study was stopped early (reason given: COVID-19). Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Aug 2022.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. IPD will only be available to the Primary investigator and Lead research assistant of this study.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sean P Mullen, PhD principal investigator
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing HUBOD and Active Comparator in people with Cognitive Change and Processing, Visual Spatial, run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Aug 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was stopped early (reason given: COVID-19). Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Digit Symbol Substitution task (time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline and in the week immediately following the two-week intervention period.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Aug 2022.