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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNCT06935812

Comparison of the Effects of Bimanual, Finger and VR Exercises in PwMCI

A study testing Bimanual Exercise, Finger Exercise and Virtual Reality in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Eastern Mediterranean University at 1 site in Cyprus.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is defined as an impairment in a single cognitive function, usually memory, other than normal cognitive decline with age, that does not fulfil dementia criteria. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Mild Cognitive Impairment
What is being tested?
Bimanual Exercise, Finger Exercise and Virtual Reality
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
106 participants
Where
1 siteCyprus
Study dates
29 Apr 2025to 24 Sep 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 50 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants who are between 50-75 years of age
  • Individuals diagnosed with MCI by a geriatrician according to DSM-5 criteria,
  • Who has the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score between 13-26,
  • Who has the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment screen score between 48-67,
  • Who has Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale score ≥6/8,
  • Who says yes to "Do you have a memory problem?" question,
  • Who can walk independently without using any walking aids

Who cannot join

  • Participants who have any musculoskeletal disorders that may cause balance and gait disorders,
  • Who have central or peripheral neurological diseases (eg. stroke, Parkinson's disease or polyneuropathies),
  • Who are using psychiatric drugs that may affect psychiatric disease and/or cognitive performance (Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs more than three times a week, which may affect cognitive functions, using gingko biloba and antioxidant supplements (for example, coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid)),
  • Who has daltonism and
  • Who attends any exercise program last 6 months will not be included in this study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Betül Fatma Bilgin, MSc PT contact

3926303011

betulll_96@hotmail.com

Gözde İyigün, PhD contact

3926303011

gozde.iyigun@emu.edu.tr

Cyprus1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Eastern Mediterranean University

    Famagusta, Eyalet/Yerleşke, 99450

    Betül F Bilgin, MSc, PT, betulll_96@hotmail.com

    Gözde İyigün, PhD, PT, gozde.iyigun@emu.edu.tr

    Recruiting

Other trials in Cyprus

About this study

Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Bimanual, Finger and Virtual Reality Exercises in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment - Randomized Controlled Study

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is defined as an impairment in a single cognitive function, usually memory, other than normal cognitive decline with age, that does not fulfil dementia criteria. Finger movements have been shown to stimulate the sensory-motor and cognitive parts of the cerebral cortex, as well as the supplementary motor area, Broca's area, premotor cortex, and prefrontal cortex, all of which contribute to movement skills. Asymmetrical hand and finger movements done concurrently were proven to improve cognitive processes and cerebral blood flow more than movements performed with one hand.

Read the detailed description

Cognitive impairment is one of the most pressing healthcare problems of the 21st century. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been defined as a disorder in a single cognitive function; usually, memory is impaired to an extent greater than anticipated for age, yet the patient does not meet the criteria for dementia. MCI, known as a risk factor for the early stage of dementia, constitutes a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and is also known as the prodromal syndrome of AD. MCI affects 3%-22% of people over the age of 65, depending on demographic characteristics, and persons with MCI (PwMCI) progress to dementia at a rate of 10%-15% every year. Advanced age, low education level, and low cognitive capacity are among the most common risk factors for MCI. Although the pathology of MCI is not completely understood, hippocampal and entorhinal cortex atrophy is defined as a hallmark, and the connectivity of the hippocampus with the prefrontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and cerebellum was found to be lower in PwMCI than healthy controls. PwMCI can be categorized as amnestic and non-amnestic MCI. Individuals with non-amnestic MCI have impairments in other domains than memory, such as attention/executive functions (eMCI), which are frequent and disabling symptoms MCI. It was shown that response inhibition, switching, and cognitive flexibility are selectively impaired, while sustained and divided attention are intact in PwMCI. It has been proposed that executive control and gait share common frontal brain circuitry vulnerable to age-related neuropathology. It is known that cognitive deficits are associated with increased fall risk in community-dwelling older adults, and older adults with higher cognitive impairments are more prone to experience falls. The stepping reaction time variability indicate compromised neural circuitry involved in executive function, gait, and posture and increases the risk of fall in PwMCI.

A promising avenue in this regard is finger or hand exercise, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and grounded in the meridian theory. The meridian theory suggests that specific meridians and acupoints can be stimulated through finger exercises, leading to the promotion of energy flow and restoration of overall balance within the body. While finger exercise has a historical foundation in traditional Chinese medicine, its potential impact on cognitive function has recently gained attention, resulting in several studies investigating its benefits. Notably, two recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) demonstrated that finger exercise improved cognitive performance in both cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Despite the promising nature of finger exercises as an effective cognitive intervention highly accessible to older adults, a thorough investigation of their effects is imperative before widespread application.

Being tested
Bimanual Exercise, Finger Exercise, Virtual Reality
Keywords
Finger Exercise, Bimanual Exercise, Virtual Reality, Processing Speed, Cognitive Functions, Walking Speed, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Dual Task
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Bimanual ExerciseOther

    The bimanual exercise group consists of exercises that involve movements in which both hands are used simultaneously. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

  • Finger ExerciseOther

    The finger exercise group consists of exercises that involve finger movements. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

  • Virtual RealityOther

    The virtual reality exercise group consists of hand-tracking game exercises that involve finger movements. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Study groups in NCT06935812
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Bimanual ExerciseExperimentalBimanual Exercise The bimanual exercise group consists of exercises that involve movements in which both hands are used simultaneously. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.
Receives: Other: Bimanual Exercise
Finger ExerciseExperimentalFinger Exercise The finger exercise group consists of exercises that involve finger movements. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.
Receives: Other: Finger Exercise
Virtual RealityExperimentalVirtual Reality The virtual reality exercise group consists of hand-tracking game exercises that involve finger movements. The bimanual exercise group will have 40 minutes of training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks.
Receives: Other: Virtual Reality
ControlNo interventionIn this group, participants will asses on the first and the last weeks of the program (0. and 8. week).

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. MoCA

    Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale: MoCA is a short screening test for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease to measure cognitive functions. The test is administered using pen and paper and takes approximately 10-20 minutes. It has 7 subheadings and these are listed as follows: (1) visuospatial/executive functions (clock drawing and cube copying, tracing test (part B) - 5 points); (2) naming (learning and repeating a list of 5 words - 3 points); (3) memory (5 points for recall); (4) attention (target-orientated clapping - 6 points); (5) language (fluency - 3 points); (6) abstract thinking (similarity between words - 2 points); and (7) orientation (knowledge of day, month, year and place - 6 points). The score range is 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better performance. Values below 26 points indicate a risk of cognitive impairment and provide information about a possible MCI.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. Cognitive functions-Trail Making Test (A-B)

    Trail Making Test (A-B): Trail Making Test (TMT) is a complex visual screening test with motor components and is sensitive to frontal region functions (12, 13). Motor speed, agility and careful participation are required to be successful in this test. This first version of the IST consists of two parts (forms), A and B. In Part A, the participants will be asked to connect the circles with numbers (1-2-3-4-......) on the test form by drawing a line consecutively and in the correct order. In Part B, the participants will be asked to connect the circles containing numbers and letters (1-A,2-B,3-C- ......) on the test form by drawing a line in a consecutive and correct order in accordance with the order of one number and one letter. The time will be recorded for both A and B tests.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Cognitive functions-Digit Span Test/Digit Symbol Substitution Test

    Digit Span Test (DST): In the DST, participants will be asked to repeat the read digits in sequence. The test continues with growing digits. Then, in the second part of the test, they will be asked to repeat the spoken digits backwards and the number of correct ones will be recorded.

    Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST): DSST is a test used to evaluate psychomotor performance. The participants will be asked to draw the symbol determined for each number in the boxes left blank for 90 seconds. The total number of correct shapes will be recorded.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Cognitive Functions-Verbal Fluency Test/Serial Subtraction Test

    Verbal Fluency Test - Phonemic: The participant is asked to count the words starting with the letters we have determined (letters A and S) within 1 minute. The number of correct and incorrect words spoken will be determined.

    Serial Subtraction Test: The participant is asked to count backwards by subtracting 7 from a number between 200-300 within 1 minute. The number of correct and incorrect counts will be determined.

    Measured: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Choice Stepping Reaction Time Mat (CSRT)

    Lower extremity reaction time: Step taking reaction time will be evaluated on the Choice Stepping Reaction Time Mat (CSRT) with Flash/response facilitation (stepping as fast as possible in the direction of the lit green arrow) and Inhibitor/response inhibition (staying in place when the purple arrow is lit and stepping with the green arrow). Accordingly, reaction time, movement time and response/operation time (sum of reaction time and movement time) will be evaluated in all tests.

    Upper extremity reaction time:

    While the participant is in a sitting position, he/she will be asked to touch the buttons (Blaze Pods) on the table as fast as possible when the light is on and the reaction time will be recorded. The test will be performed separately for right and left extremities.

    Measured: 8 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Apr 2025
  2. Study start29 Apr 2025
  3. Primary completion24 Sep 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion24 Sep 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
106 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06935812
Sponsor's protocol ID
ETK00-2024-0113
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
1 Jun 2024
Last updated
19 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Bimanual Exercise, Finger Exercise and Virtual Reality in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Eastern Mediterranean University at 1 site in Cyprus.

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 7 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 May 2026. 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 Cyprus. 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. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Betül Fatma Bilgin, MSc PT (3926303011, betulll_96@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

MoCA (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 4 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 19 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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