Zapping the brain to get veterans moving

NCT ID NCT03733041

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether magnetic stimulation to the front of the brain could help older veterans exercise more regularly. Participants used Nintendo Wii-Fit at home and those who struggled to meet exercise goals received either real or fake brain stimulation. The goal was to see if the stimulation improved exercise adherence, balance, and thinking skills.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple way to help older adults stay active and prevent falls.
What could go wrong: This was a small, early study with only 72 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect of the brain stimulation may be small or temporary.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION POOR EXERCISE ADHERENCE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System , Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States

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