Clinical trials data
Cognitive tests in aging, frailty and exercise trials: 1,398 registered studies
Every registered aging, frailty and exercise study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names a cognitive test in an outcome measure: the tests used most, how often as a primary outcome, which tests go together, how large the studies are and when they measure the outcome.
- Registered aging, frailty and exercise studies name a cognitive test in an outcome
- 1,398
- Led by industry
- 31
The tests aging, frailty and exercise trials use most
The Trail Making Test leads: 255 of the 1,398 studies name it, 18%. Next comes the Stroop Color-Word Test (230). As a primary outcome, the Stroop Color-Word Test leads with 100 studies.
- 1
Trail Making Test255 studies, 83 as a primary outcome
- 2
Stroop Color-Word Test230 studies, 100 as a primary outcome
- 3
Verbal Fluency136 studies, 55 as a primary outcome
- 4
Digit Span Test129 studies, 55 as a primary outcome
- 5
Verbal Learning128 studies, 50 as a primary outcome
- 6
Symbol Coding116 studies, 34 as a primary outcome
- 7
N-Back Task68 studies, 39 as a primary outcome
- 8
Category Fluency48 studies, 26 as a primary outcome
- 9
Eriksen Flanker Task45 studies, 18 as a primary outcome
- 10
Go/No-Go Task41 studies, 22 as a primary outcome
- 11
Task Switching Test37 studies, 21 as a primary outcome
- 12
Dimensional Change Card Sort37 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- 13
Clock Drawing Task35 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
- 14
Short Story Recall32 studies, 12 as a primary outcome
- 15
Picture Order Memory Test29 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- 16
Size Order Memory Test26 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
- 17
Pattern and Letter Comparison24 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
- 18
Picture Naming Test23 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- 19
Card Sorting Test (Berg)23 studies, 8 as a primary outcome
- 20
Choice Reaction Time23 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
- 21
Continuous Performance Test22 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
- 22
Matrix Reasoning20 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
- 23
Tower Planning18 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- 24
Corsi Block-Tapping Test17 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- 25
Selective Reminding Task17 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
38% of aging, frailty and exercise studies name only instruments outside the library, such as clinician-administered screening scales. They count in every figure on this page and are not listed. The explorer below holds all 132 tests.
Tests used together
- Stroop Color-Word Test and Trail Making Test90 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Trail Making Test62 studies name both
- Trail Making Test and Verbal Fluency60 studies name both
- Trail Making Test and Verbal Learning56 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Stroop Color-Word Test53 studies name both
- Symbol Coding and Trail Making Test52 studies name both
- Stroop Color-Word Test and Verbal Learning38 studies name both
- Stroop Color-Word Test and Verbal Fluency37 studies name both
- Digit Span Test and Verbal Fluency34 studies name both
- Verbal Fluency and Verbal Learning34 studies name both
Studies by start year
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
Show as a table
| Start year | Studies | A test as a primary outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 |
| 2009 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 | 5 |
| 2011 | 10 | 7 |
| 2012 | 13 | 7 |
| 2013 | 21 | 13 |
| 2014 | 30 | 12 |
| 2015 | 37 | 14 |
| 2016 | 33 | 9 |
| 2017 | 66 | 18 |
| 2018 | 77 | 41 |
| 2019 | 85 | 36 |
| 2020 | 82 | 37 |
| 2021 | 120 | 53 |
| 2022 | 135 | 50 |
| 2023 | 145 | 56 |
| 2024 | 160 | 73 |
| 2025 | 186 | 77 |
| 2026 | 159 | 60 |
Phases and sponsors
By phase
- Early phase 19 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
- Phase 116 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
- Phase 1/210 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
- Phase 227 studies, 10 as a primary outcome
- Phase 2/35 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
- Phase 38 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- Phase 414 studies, 4 as a primary outcome
- Not applicable1,092 studies, 452 as a primary outcome
- Observational217 studies, 95 as a primary outcome
Sponsors and study types
Lead sponsor: industry 31, NIH 0, universities, hospitals and others 1,367. Interventional 1,181, observational 217.
Status, results, interventions and countries
Status
- Recruiting241 studies, 94 as a primary outcome
- Not yet recruiting124 studies, 48 as a primary outcome
- Active, not recruiting81 studies, 30 as a primary outcome
- Completed689 studies, 308 as a primary outcome
- Stopped early34 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- Status unknown229 studies, 87 as a primary outcome
What they test
- Behavioral553 studies, 238 as a primary outcome
- Drug80 studies, 25 as a primary outcome
- Device132 studies, 55 as a primary outcome
- Dietary supplement117 studies, 30 as a primary outcome
- Procedure33 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
- Diagnostic test24 studies, 8 as a primary outcome
- Biological13 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
- Radiation3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
- Combination product12 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
- Genetic2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
- Other499 studies, 203 as a primary outcome
- None given106 studies, 47 as a primary outcome
Intervention types as registered. A study can list several; observational studies often list none.
Where their sites are
- United States328 studies, 148 as a primary outcome
- Spain105 studies, 40 as a primary outcome
- Türkiye104 studies, 62 as a primary outcome
- China79 studies, 29 as a primary outcome
- Taiwan79 studies, 48 as a primary outcome
- France59 studies, 19 as a primary outcome
- Canada55 studies, 24 as a primary outcome
- Italy54 studies, 18 as a primary outcome
- Hong Kong46 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
- United Kingdom45 studies, 9 as a primary outcome
- Germany32 studies, 6 as a primary outcome
- Portugal28 studies, 14 as a primary outcome
65 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 105 list no site.
Reported results
Completed studies with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, a results paper the registry links to the study, or both.
Completed aging, frailty and exercise studies: 259 of 689, 38%
Every completed study with a cognitive outcome: 3,626 of 7,953, 46%
| Results | Completed aging, frailty and exercise studies | Every completed study |
|---|---|---|
| Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper | 30, 4% | 776, 10% |
| Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only | 53, 8% | 1,139, 14% |
| A results paper only | 176, 26% | 1,711, 22% |
| Neither | 430, 62% | 4,327, 54% |
How many participants they enroll
- Phase 140 median, 21 to 41
- Phase 1/219 median, 13 to 46
- Phase 260 median, 32 to 104
- Phase 4140 median, 45 to 211
- Not applicable70 median, 40 to 134
- Observational160 median, 68 to 450
Show as a table
| Phase | Studies with a size | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 16 | 40 | 21 to 41 |
| Phase 1/2 | 10 | 19 | 13 to 46 |
| Phase 2 | 27 | 60 | 32 to 104 |
| Phase 4 | 14 | 140 | 45 to 211 |
| Not applicable | 1,084 | 70 | 40 to 134 |
| Observational | 216 | 160 | 68 to 450 |
When the cognitive outcome is measured
Latest time point of each outcome
- Within a day264 outcomes, 114 as a primary outcome
- Up to 4 weeks239 outcomes, 102 as a primary outcome
- 1 to 3 months621 outcomes, 266 as a primary outcome
- 3 to 6 months358 outcomes, 121 as a primary outcome
- 6 to 12 months216 outcomes, 87 as a primary outcome
- 1 to 2 years64 outcomes, 23 as a primary outcome
- Over 2 years80 outcomes, 50 as a primary outcome
- No duration given92 outcomes, 44 as a primary outcome
A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes
1,842 of the 1,934 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.
Median time to the primary outcome, by test
| Test | Primary outcomes | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Stroop Color-Word Test | 89 | 8 weeks |
| Trail Making Test | 82 | 12 weeks |
| Digit Span Test | 53 | 12 weeks |
| Verbal Fluency | 52 | 13 weeks |
| Verbal Learning | 48 | 13 weeks |
| N-Back Task | 37 | 8 weeks |
| Symbol Coding | 34 | 12 weeks |
| Category Fluency | 25 | 13 weeks |
| Go/No-Go Task | 21 | 10 weeks |
| Task Switching Test | 21 | 10 weeks |
Explore the aging, frailty and exercise studies
860 studies match. 385 name a library test in a primary outcome. Median size 70 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: 12 weeks.
Loading 860 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.
2026 is partly planned starts. Not shown: 1 that started before 2000 and 5 planned to start after 2026.
Show as a table
| Start year | Studies | As a primary outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 | 2 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010 | 7 | 5 |
| 2011 | 6 | 3 |
| 2012 | 10 | 4 |
| 2013 | 17 | 10 |
| 2014 | 18 | 9 |
| 2015 | 26 | 8 |
| 2016 | 25 | 9 |
| 2017 | 46 | 15 |
| 2018 | 56 | 34 |
| 2019 | 49 | 26 |
| 2020 | 44 | 20 |
| 2021 | 76 | 40 |
| 2022 | 94 | 38 |
| 2023 | 87 | 35 |
| 2024 | 83 | 35 |
| 2025 | 114 | 50 |
| 2026 | 80 | 34 |
Library tests named most
Largest condition groups
Phases
Participants
Lead sponsor: industry 23, other 837. Interventional 768, observational 92.
As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcome
The studies, newest registration first
Each number opens the study's record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
| Study | Start | Phase | Conditions | Participants | Lead sponsor | Status | Library tests named, with the latest time point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07902206 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Huntington's disease | Participants88 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07894809 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants30 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07890753 | Start2026 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants60 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07885644 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants48 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07876193 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants15 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07871929 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise, Sleep and sleep disorders | Participants240 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07861867 | Start2027 | PhasePhase 2 | ConditionsStroke, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants60 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07855874 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants300 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07853274 | Start2024 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants23 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07852572 | Start2027 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants204 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07841145 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsDementia and Alzheimer's, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants68 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07835503 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants49 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07827651 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exercise, Sleep and sleep disorders | Participants64 | Lead sponsorIndustry | StatusActive, not recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07825948 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants299 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07822048 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants20 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07819565 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants20 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07813702 | Start2026 | PhaseObservational | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants120 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07810595 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exercise, Anxiety, PTSD and OCD | Participants48 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07809750 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants700 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07808710 | Start2024 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants11 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07800286 | Start2023 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants44 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusCompleted | Library tests named
|
| NCT07798635 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants120 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07792876 | Start2025 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exercise | Participants12 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07792356 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants144 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusNot yet recruiting | Library tests named
|
| NCT07775781 | Start2026 | PhaseNot applicable | ConditionsAging, frailty and exercise | Participants300 | Lead sponsorOther | StatusRecruiting | Library tests named
|
Questions, answered from the data
Which cognitive test do aging, frailty and exercise trials use most?
The Trail Making Test: 255 of the 1,398 registered studies name it in an outcome measure, 18%. Next come the Stroop Color-Word Test (230) and Verbal Fluency (136).
Which cognitive test do aging, frailty and exercise trials use most as a primary outcome?
The Stroop Color-Word Test, named in a primary outcome by 100 studies. 580 of the 1,398 studies, 41%, name a cognitive test in a primary outcome.
How many participants does a phase 2 aging, frailty and exercise trial enroll?
Half of the phase 2 aging, frailty and exercise studies enroll 60 participants or fewer, and the middle half enroll 32 to 104. 27 of them give a size.
How long after the start do aging, frailty and exercise trials measure a cognitive outcome?
Half of the primary outcomes that name a library test are measured within 12 weeks of the start, and the middle half from 4 weeks to 6 months. 763 primary outcomes give a duration.
Which cognitive tests do aging, frailty and exercise trials use together?
The Stroop Color-Word Test with the Trail Making Test most often: 90 studies name both. Next, the Digit Span Test with the Trail Making Test (62).
How many completed aging, frailty and exercise trials have reported results?
259 of the 689 completed aging, frailty and exercise studies, 38%, have reported results: 83 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 206 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 30 did both. The other 430 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.
How the studies are counted
For each test family, the census runs ClinicalTrials.gov's own outcome search for the family's names and reads every study first posted by the day the family was counted. These studies were read on 10 November 2026. A study counts once on a page, however many tests it names. Counts for a test cover every version of the task under any of its names, so a page can count studies that used a commercial version.
The census adds two things to each record and changes nothing in it: which outcome list names the test (primary, then secondary, then other), and the condition groups, matched on the study's condition names and MeSH terms. A study can fall in several groups; one whose only condition is cognitive impairment or decline falls in “Cognitive impairment and decline”. Studies that name only instruments outside the library count in every total and share but are not listed.
A second read on 10 November 2026 added each study's overall status, whether results are posted, its intervention types, the countries of its sites and the time frame of the outcome that names each test. A time frame counts by the latest time point it names: “Baseline, 12 and 24 weeks” is 24 weeks, a single visit is within a day, and one that names no duration, such as “end of treatment”, is left out of the timings.
A third read on 10 November 2026 added the papers the registry links to each study: those its sponsor lists as reporting results, and those PubMed links to it through the study's NCT number. A study has a results paper when one of them came out in or after the month of its primary completion and PubMed does not class it as a protocol, review or comment. A paper that never gives the NCT number is not linked, so some studies counted as reporting neither did publish.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which does not endorse these pages. Every study line is in the data release 2.1.0, and the explorer's own file is clinical-trials-studies.json.
Plan the cognitive outcomes of a aging, frailty and exercise trial
Choose tests with a record in registered trials, and run them in a browser at every site, on the same version each visit.