A six-month study of antisaccade reaction time in elderly adults with cognitive impairment in a retirement living home: A Mind Fun sub-study.: Antisaccade reaction time in elderly adults

Abstract

Background: Oculomotor control assessed via the antisaccade task has shown to be sensitive to change following exercise programs in older adult populations. The antisaccade task has been shown to be associated with executive function. However, this task has not been assessed in adults over 80 years of age. Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of the antisaccade task in octogenarians over a 6-month period and determine if any change in reaction time (RT) occurs. Methods: The subjects participated in a 12-week Square-stepping exercise (SSE) program (over a 6-month period). The feasibility and change of an executive-related oculomotor task required participants to look mirror-symmetrical to a target (i.e., antisaccades), which were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Seven adults (85.4 years old, SD=3.2; Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 22.6, SD=3.5) out of a larger cluster of 71 completed assessments at baseline and post-intervention. Results showed no reliable change in antisaccade RT from baseline (360 ms, SD=37) to post-intervention (361 ms, SD=40); however, a decrease in RT variability was observed during this time frame (i.e., baseline: 23 ms, SD=12; post-intervention: 15 ms, SD=13). Conclusions: Oculomotor assessments have limited feasibility in elderly adults with cognitive impairment due to age-related eye disease. Furthermore, our results demonstrated maintenance of executive control and improved post-intervention planning stability in an elderly population at risk for further cognitive decline; further investigation with a control group is required.