Intermittent Fasting & Cognitive Function Research Study
Researchers at the University of Florida's Institute on Aging are partnering with older adults who are experiencing cognitive difficulties to evaluate the effects of intermittent fasting. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
65+ years old
Cognitive
Changes
Compensation Provided
Conducted in gainesville, FL
Study Background
Our study will assess whether a popular form of intermittent fasting, called time-restricted eating, can improve cognitive function, physical function, and other aspects of quality of life in adults with self-reported cognitive difficulties.
The study will examine the effects of time-restricted eating on changes in cognitive function, physical function, and brain biomarkers.
Your participation in this study may help researchers create better healthy aging programs in the future. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
Our study will assess whether a popular form of intermittent fasting, called time-restricted eating, can improve cognitive function, physical function, and other aspects of quality of life in adults with self-reported cognitive difficulties.
The study will examine the effects of time-restricted eating on changes in cognitive function, physical function, and brain biomarkers.
Your participation in this study may help researchers create better healthy aging programs in the future. Further research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 65+ years old
- Carrying a little extra weight (body mass index between 25 – 40 kg/m2)
- Able to walk unassisted (cane allowed)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Actively trying to lose weight by participating in formal weight loss program or significantly restricting calorie intake
- Resting heart rate of >120 beats per minute, systolic blood pressure > 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of > 100 mmHg
- Unstable angina, heart attack or stroke in the past 3 months
- Continuous use of supplemental oxygen to manage a chronic pulmonary condition or heart failure
- Rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease or currently on dialysis
- Active treatment for cancer in the past year
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Known history of skin sensitivity or allergic reaction to adhesives
- Taking medications that preclude fasting for 16 hours (e.g. must be taken with food at least 12 hours apart)
There will be a Screening Visit to determine eligibility followed by a Baseline Visit, 2 Study Visits, and 16 group intervention sessions. The visits will vary in length and will include monitoring of overall health, questionnaires, and cognitive, physical, and psychological assessments.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the 1) Time Restricted Eating intervention group, or the 2) Successful Aging Comparison Group (LEARN). In the Time Restricted Eating intervention group, you will be asked to fast for a target of 16 hours per day for a period of 24 weeks. To achieve this goal, you will be asked to gradually increase your daily fasting time each week. To help you learn how to practice time restricted eating, you will be asked to attend weekly group sessions, either in person or via Zoom, for the first two months and then bi-weekly (every other week) group sessions during months 3–6. During these sessions, you will be taught important behavioral skills needed to follow a time-restricted eating program, review progress, problem-solve challenges, and revise goals as needed.
The purpose of these sessions is to enhance your learning experience by combining it with social support. During months 3-6, you will receive phone calls during the weeks in which group sessions are not held. Additionally, participants in the Time Restricted Eating intervention group will be asked to record the time of their first and final food/drink consumption each day.
In the Successful Aging Comparison Group (LEARN), you will attend lectures on topics relevant to healthy aging at the same frequency as the group meetings in the time restricted eating intervention. There will be 16 group sessions over 24 weeks. The topics that will be covered include how certain lifestyle habits, such as exercise, sleep, or sun exposure, can influence the health of older adults. You will be encouraged to attend as many lectures as you can, but all study activities are voluntary.
