Research

 

Goal

The world’s population is aging – at a rate that is unprecedented in human history. Maintaining both physical and cognitive function is essential for healthy aging and ultimately, for the ability to function autonomously within society. A promising and relatively inexpensive approach to promote healthy aging and functional independence is exercise. The research conducted at the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Health Laboratory will directly contribute to validating exercise as an approach to minimize the impact of cognitive impairment and dementia while optimizing physical function, mobility, and functional independence in older adults.

Methods

We are a clinical research laboratory that incorporates cognitive neuroscience methodology. Our main research projects are randomized controlled trials involving clinical populations. In these trials, we typically acquire clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging data. For neuroimaging data, we use a research-dedicated Philips 3T scanner at the UBC MRI Research Centre, a 5-minute walk from our UBC campus laboratory.

We also have an in-house Artinis Oxymon Mk III Near Infrared Spectroscopy system (NIRS) which allows us to see changes in blood flow in the brain. Being able to detect changes in brain blood flow may prove to be a diagnostic tool to better understand changes in brain mechanisms as we age.

Projects

We currently have a number of ongoing projects.

Currently Recruiting:

  • Supporting Physical Activity for Mobility in Mobility-Limited Older Adults (Funding provided by Canadian Institute of Health Research)
    The primary goal of the study is to assess the impact of individualized health coaching compared to a group health education program in increasing time spent doing moderate to vigorous physical activity in adults with limited mobility. Status: We are actively recruiting those ages 70 to 89 who have experienced a decline in their mobility.

For more information please contact the recruitment coordinator: Victoria Cirone at 604-875-4111 x 69313 or cogmob.research@ubc.ca

Recruitment Closed:

  • Burning Calories, Building Brains in Perimenopause: A Critical Window to Promote Brain Health in Females (Funding provided by D. Shaw Research Fund)
    The primary goal of the study is to assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a popular form of aerobic training, on cognitive function and brain health over a 12 weeks HIIT program in perimenopausal women. Status: We are actively recruiting women ages 40-55 who are in menopause transition (perimenopause) for this study.

For more details about the study and to determine your eligibility, please visit the study page on REACH BC.

To sign up for the study, you may complete this intake survey. Our research team will be in contact upon completion.

For more information please contact the coordinator: Sarah Crummey at 604-875-4111 x 69056 or cogmob.research@ubc.ca

  • Refining Exercise Prescription for Mild Cognitive Impairment (Funding provided by Canadian Institute of Health Research)
    The primary goal of the study is to assess the impact of aerobic training (i.e. targeted walking) and strength training (i.e. lifting weights) on cognitive function over a 6-month period in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Status: We are no longer recruiting for this study.

For more information please contact the coordinator: Sarah Crummey at 604-875-4111 x 69056 or cogmob.research@ubc.ca

  • Reshaping the Care Path Post Hip Fracture to Improve Mobility and Quality of Life (Funding provided by Amgen Inc.)
    The primary aim of the study is to assess the impact of a home-based exercise program on the prevention of subsequent falls in hip fracture survivors. Status: We are no longer recruiting for this study.

For more information, please contact the coordinator: Tina Law at 604-875-4111 x 69611 or fallsclinicadmin@ubc.ca

  • Reshaping the Path of Vascular Cognitive Impairment (Funding provided by Heart and Stroke of Canada)
    The primary aim of the study is to assess the impact of strength training (i.e. lifting weights) on the amount of blockage accumulated in the small arteries of the brain over a 12-month period in persons with vascular cognitive impairment. Status: We are no longer recruiting for this study.

For more information please contact the coordinator: Sofia Grant at 604-875-4111 x 69313 or cogmob.research@ubc.ca

  • Momnesia: Investigating the neural basis for reduced memory and executive functions across pregnancy (Funding provided by the Women’s Health Institute)
    The primary aim of the study is to assess how pregnancy influences cognition and brain function. Status: We are no longer recruiting for this study.

For more information please contact the coordinator: Sofia Grant at 604-875-4111 x 69313 or cogmob.research@ubc.ca

  • Supporting Aging through Green Exercise (SAGE): Comparing the cognitive effects of outdoor versus indoor aerobic exercise
    The primary aim of the study is to explore the impact of the aerobic exercise environment on cognitive function and overall health over a 12-week period in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Status: We are no longer recruiting for this study.

For more information please contact the coordinator: Nathan Wei at cogmob.research@ubc.ca

Recently Completed Projects

  • Action Seniors! (Fundedby Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Action Seniors! by Video (Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Buying Time Study (Funding Provided by the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and the Alzheimer Society Research Program)
  • CogMob Study (Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • CogMob-MCI (Funded by Alzheimer’s Society Research Program)
  • EXCEL Study (Funded by the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation): A 6-month randomized controlled trial of exercise in older adults with memory complaints.
  • Fit Brains (Funded by Mitacs and Rosetta Stone)
  • Knowledge translation to optimize mobility independence in older adults: Improving Cognitive & jOint health Network (ICON) (Funding provided by Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Mindfulness Training Study (Funded by a UBC Unrestricted Research Funds Start Up Grant)
  • Promote Study (Funded by Heart and Stroke of Canada, Canadian Stroke Network, & Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Sleep & Cognition Study (Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
  • Vitality Study (Funding provided by Canadian Institutes of Health Research)

Last updated on May 2, 2025 @9:18 am