The Dortmund Vital Study: Impact of Biological and Lifestyle Factors on Cognitive Performace and Work Ability

Condition(s) studied

Study summary

The goal of the Dortmund Vital Study is to validate previous hypotheses and to generate and validate new hypotheses about the relationship of ageing, working conditions, genetic makeup, stress, metabolic functions, cardiovascular system, immune system, and mental performance over the lifespan with a focus on healthy working adults. The Dortmund Vital Study is a multidisciplinary longitudinal study involving the Departments of Ergonomics, Immunology, Psychology and Neurosciences, and Toxicology of the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the TU Dortmund (IfADo) in Dortmund, Germany, as well as several national and international cooperation partners.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in performance on global cognitive composite score assessed by neuropsychological tests — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Change in performance on global cognitive composite score based on measures from neuropsychological tests: Digit-Span forward and backward, semantic memory in written and spoken versions (Word-Fluency), selective attention and attentional endurance (D2-R), crystallized intelligence (Multiple Choice Vocabulary Test), general cognitive status (Mini-Mental-State-Examination; MMSE), different aspects of verbal memory like learning performance and retrieval (Verbal Learning and Memory Tests; VLMT), psychomotor performance and speed of processing (Digit-Symbol-Test), interference control and inhibition (Stroop Test), task switching (Trail-Making-Test; TMT-A and TMT-B), two subtests from the performance testing system measuring logical reasoning and spatial rotation, and fluid intelligence assessed by Raven's Progressive Matrices.
• Change in attentional performance and perceptual control as assessed by a computerized Bar Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in attentional performance and perceptual control assessed by the Bar Task.
• Change in vigilance control as assessed by a computerized Psychomotor Vigilance Test — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in a Psychomotor Vigilance Test.
• Change in stimulus-response compatibility and conflict processing assessed by the computerized Simon Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Simon task.
• Change in updating and strategy learning assessed by the computerized AX-CPT Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the AX-CPT task.
• Change in speech understanding and auditory distractibility assessed by computerized Speech-In-Noise perception task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Speech-in-noise perception task.
• Change in working memory assessed by the computerized N-back Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the N-back task.
• Change in cue and memory-based task switching assessed by the computerized Task Switching Paradigm — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the cue- and memory based task switching.
• Change in auditive attention and distractibility assessed by the computerized Auditory Distraction Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Auditory Distraction Task.
• Change in susceptibility to interference and the capacity to inhibit irrelevant stimuli assessed by the computerized Stroop Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Stroop Task.
• Change in inhibitory control of prepotent responses assessed by the computerized Go/NoGo Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Go/NoGo Task.
• Change in spatial selective attention assessed by the computerized Visual Search Task — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Visual Search Task.
• Change in Work Ability Index — Baseline and 5, 10, 15 years
  Change in work ability assessed by Work Ability Index (WAI). WAI assess physical and psychological risks to avoid work-related disabilities and early retirement. The index is determined by the employees' answers related to work demands, individual health status and physical and psychological capacities. The total score of WAI is calculated by summing up scores of seven dimensions. The work ability ranged between 7 (insufficient) and 49 points (best work ability).

Trial sites (1)