An interventional study of Web-based training strategy and Web-based regular training (no strategy) in Healthy Aging, sponsored by Columbia University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 60 Years to 75 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-19.
Sponsored by Columbia University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Executive control processes involve initiate, coordinate, synchronize, and regulate elemental cognitive functions for the conduct of goal-directed behavior. The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a web-based training protocol designed to enhance executive control processes will improve cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults.
The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a web-based training protocol designed to enhance executive control / multi-tasking abilities will improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Cognitively normal adults aged 60-75 will be randomized into two experimental groups: 1) Web-based game with training strategy; 2) Web-based game without training strategy (Active Control). All participants (groups 1 and 2) will be instructed to play the complex, high-demand online game, Breakfast Game, for 14 one-hour sessions over 5 weeks.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will play the Breakfast Game with training strategy.
Behavioral: Web-based training strategy
Participants will play the Breakfast Game without training strategy.
Behavioral: Web-based regular training (no strategy)
Participants will undergo a web-based training protocol where they will play an online game that simulates a breakfast environment and will perform everyday activities as "cooking" and "setting tables" in a multi-tasking fashion. Participants will learn to play the game using specific strategies, in order to optimize the performance.
Also known as: Experimental intervention
Participants will undergo a web-based training protocol where they will play an online game that simulates a breakfast environment and will perform everyday activities as "cooking" and "setting tables" in a multi-tasking fashion. Participants will learn to play the game under regular game instructions.
Also known as: Control intervention
Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Number of Tables Set Score
Change in the total number of tables set. In the computerized task, participants are asked to set tables for four guests. When finished, one point is given. Higher scores represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0 and 12; the total change score ranged from -3 to +3.
Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12
Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Range of Stop Times Scores
Change in cooking time (milliseconds) between food items. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the difference between the first and last food item that was stopped cooking. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement on the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 315; the total change score ranges from -40 to +40.
Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12
Change in Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Discrepancy Scores
Change in cooking time (milliseconds) in each food type. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the average absolute values of the difference between the required and actual cooking time of each item. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 175; The total change score ranges from -20 to +20.
Time frame: Assessed at training session 1, week 1; training session 12, approximately 6 weeks. Data is reported for the change between session 1 and 12
Transfer to Complex Executive/Attention Control Measure (Proximal Outcome).
Accuracy on the Alphanumeric Task. This metric represents a change in the score. The higher the means more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -0.1 to +0.1
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)
Transfer to Executive Functions Composite Z-Score (Distal Outcome)
The Executive Functions Composite Z-Score represents an ability based on performance in four tests: Letter-Number Sequencing, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop, and Useful Field of View. Each of these test measures aspects of executive functions, including: divided attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. To calculate the Executive Functions Composite Score, Z-score values were computed in each of the four tests. We then averaged the Z-scores into a single Z-score measure. The central value (Z-score of 0) represents the average performance of the sample in each test. Standard deviation above the mean (higher Z-score values) represents better performance. The total Z-score ranged between -7 and 5. (Values not used for clinical diagnosis, sample cognitively healthy). This metric represents CHANGE in the Executive Functions Composite Score = the higher values represent more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -2 + 2.
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)
Transfer to the General Self-efficacy Scale (Distal Outcome)
Scores on a scale that measures perception about self-efficacy. Total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy. The change in the scale ranged from -4 to 9. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance.
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)
Transfer to Beck Depression Inventory (Distal Outcome)
Score on a scale that measures depression symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more depression symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +3 to -9.
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts; and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent change between pre and post training)
Transfer to Beck Anxiety Inventory (Distal Outcome)
Score on a scale that measures anxiety symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more anxiety symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +6 to -6.
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts, and the 6th week, after the last (13th) training session. (Measure represent the change between pre and post training)
Transfer to Cognition-Leisure Questionnaire (Distal Outcome)
Score on a scale reflecting engagement/frequency in leisure \& cognitive activities. Total score ranges between 0 and 80, with a higher score indicating more frequency in leisure/cognitive activities. The change in the scale ranged from -9 to 9.
Time frame: Within the 2 weeks before intervention starts, and the 6th week, after the last (12th) training session. (Measure represent the change between pre and post training)
| Milestone | Experimental (Breakfast Game With Emphasis Change) | Control (Breakfast Game Without the Emphasis Change) |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 19 | 19 |
| Completed | 19 | 19 |
| Not completed | 0 | 0 |
Change in the total number of tables set. In the computerized task, participants are asked to set tables for four guests. When finished, one point is given. Higher scores represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0 and 12; the total change score ranged from -3 to +3.
| score on a scale (change) | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Number of Tables Set Score | 1.61 ± 0.15 | 1.43 ± 0.39 |
Change in cooking time (milliseconds) between food items. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the difference between the first and last food item that was stopped cooking. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement on the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 315; the total change score ranges from -40 to +40.
| score on a scale | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in the Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Range of Stop Times Scores | -29.26 ± 44.11 | -14.51 ± 15.79 |
Change in cooking time (milliseconds) in each food type. In the computerized task, participants are asked to cook different food types. Scores reflect the average absolute values of the difference between the required and actual cooking time of each item. Lower scores (closest to zero) represent a better outcome. This metric represents a change in the score = the lower means improvement in the performance. The total score ranges between 0.3 and 175; The total change score ranges from -20 to +20.
| score on a scale | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Breakfast Game Performance: Cooking Time Discrepancy Scores | -3.85 ± 5.73 | -2.29 ± 2.24 |
Accuracy on the Alphanumeric Task. This metric represents a change in the score. The higher the means more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -0.1 to +0.1
| units on a scale | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Complex Executive/Attention Control Measure (Proximal Outcome). | 0.073 ± 0.12 | -0.010 ± 0.10 |
The Executive Functions Composite Z-Score represents an ability based on performance in four tests: Letter-Number Sequencing, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop, and Useful Field of View. Each of these test measures aspects of executive functions, including: divided attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. To calculate the Executive Functions Composite Score, Z-score values were computed in each of the four tests. We then averaged the Z-scores into a single Z-score measure. The central value (Z-score of 0) represents the average performance of the sample in each test. Standard deviation above the mean (higher Z-score values) represents better performance. The total Z-score ranged between -7 and 5. (Values not used for clinical diagnosis, sample cognitively healthy). This metric represents CHANGE in the Executive Functions Composite Score = the higher values represent more improvement in the performance. The total change score ranged from -2 + 2.
| units on a scale | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Executive Functions Composite Z-Score (Distal Outcome) | 0.636 ± 1.51 | -0.653 ± 1.88 |
Scores on a scale that measures perception about self-efficacy. Total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy. The change in the scale ranged from -4 to 9. This metric represents a change in the score = the higher means improvement in the performance.
| score on a scale (change) | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to the General Self-efficacy Scale (Distal Outcome) | -0.87 ± 0.21 | -0.89 ± 0.24 |
Score on a scale that measures depression symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more depression symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +3 to -9.
| score on a scale (change) | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Beck Depression Inventory (Distal Outcome) | 0.42 ± 0.22 | 0.30 ± 0.24 |
Score on a scale that measures anxiety symptoms. Total score ranges between 0 and 63, with a higher score indicating more anxiety symptoms. The change in the scale ranged from +6 to -6.
| score on a scale (change) | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Beck Anxiety Inventory (Distal Outcome) | -0.139 ± 0.38 | 0.018 ± 0.70 |
Score on a scale reflecting engagement/frequency in leisure \& cognitive activities. Total score ranges between 0 and 80, with a higher score indicating more frequency in leisure/cognitive activities. The change in the scale ranged from -9 to 9.
| score on a scale (change) | Experimental Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Cognition-Leisure Questionnaire (Distal Outcome) | -1.02 ± 0.5 | 0.94 ± 2.03 |
Collected over From enrollment until the end of follow-up, up to 8 weeks.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy Training | 0/19 (0%) | 0/19 (0%) | 0/19 (0%) |
| Regular Approach | 0/19 (0%) | 0/19 (0%) | 0/19 (0%) |
| Age, Categorical(Participants) | Experimental Group (Breakfast Game With Emphasis Change) | Control Group (Breakfast Game Without the Emphasis Change) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| <=18 years | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Between 18 and 65 years | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| >=65 years | 12 | 15 | 27 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Experimental Group (Breakfast Game With Emphasis Change) | Control Group (Breakfast Game Without the Emphasis Change) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 65.17 ± 2.9 | 66.47 ± 4.2 | 65.82 ± 3.69 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Experimental Group (Breakfast Game With Emphasis Change) | Control Group (Breakfast Game Without the Emphasis Change) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 16 | 15 | 31 |
| Male | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized(participants) | Experimental Group (Breakfast Game With Emphasis Change) | Control Group (Breakfast Game Without the Emphasis Change) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 13 | 17 | 30 |
| Black/African-American | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Asian | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data for all primary and secondary outcome measures will be made available.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf, Csr, Analytic code
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