Associations of Dual Task Exergaming with Cognitive-Motor Interference in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Abstract

To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of dual task (DT) exergaming to improve volitional balance control in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Ten older adults with MCI were examined at baseline (week-0) and post-training (week-5) on volitional balance control (maximum excursion of center of gravity, MXE [%]) while performing cognitive task (auditory clock test or letter number sequencing task) and on the NIH-motor and cognitive toolboxes. DT exergaming training lasted for 12 sessions which consisted of performing explicit cognitive tasks while playing the Wii-Fit balance games. From pre- to post-training, MXE improved (p<0.05); however, cognitive accuracy (cognitive task) remained the same (p>0.05). Improvement in NIH motor and cognitive toolbox tests was observed post-training (p<0.05). DT exergaming was associated to improvements in balance control under attention-demanding conditions in MCI. Future studies may focus on examining the efficacy of such training.