Abstract
BackgroundCognitive function is an important factor for secondary prevention in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the improvement of cognitive function.MethodsA total of 66 consecutive elderly patients (≥70 years old) with cardiovascular diseases were prospectively enrolled. The change in cognitive function during 6 months was compared between the patients with monthly CR (at least once per month; n = 27) and those without monthly CR (n = 39). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB).ResultsThere was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The change in the MMSE score was significantly greater in patients with monthly CR than in those without monthly CR (2.3 ± 0.4 vs. −0.1 ± 0.3 points; p <0.001). Among the MMSE items, the change in temporal orientation and attention and calculation was significantly greater in the monthly CR group than in the non-monthly CR group (0.8 ± 0.7 vs. −0.1 ± 0.8 points [p <0.001] and 1.0 ± 1.5 vs. −0.1 ± 0.1 points [p <0.001], respectively). The general linear model revealed that monthly CR (effect estimate, 1.455; 95% confidence interval, 0.747–2.163; p <0.001) was independently associated with the change in the MMSE score.ConclusionsCognitive function may improve with regular CR. These results might partly explain the efficacy of CR for secondary prevention.
Highlights
An association between the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive impairment in elderly patients through the so-called heart–brain continuum hypothesis has been proposed. [1] The presence or onset of CVD impairs cognitive function through the activation of a thrombotic state, cardiac dysfunction, and vascular endothelial dysfunction. [2] the presence of cognitive impairment may worsen the status of CVD through insufficient medicine compliance, poor nutritional status, and limited physical activities. [3] the maintenance of cognitive function is an important factor for secondary prevention, and can be a therapeutic and interventional target in elderly patients with CVD
The change in the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) score was significantly greater in patients with monthly cardiac rehabilitation (CR) than in those without monthly CR (2.3 ± 0.4 vs. −0.1 ± 0.3 points; p
Among the MMSE items, the change in temporal orientation and attention and calculation was significantly greater in the monthly CR group than in the non-monthly CR group (0.8 ± 0.7 vs. −0.1 ± 0.8 points [p
Summary
An association between the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive impairment in elderly patients through the so-called heart–brain continuum hypothesis has been proposed. [1] The presence or onset of CVD impairs cognitive function through the activation of a thrombotic state, cardiac dysfunction, and vascular endothelial dysfunction. [2] the presence of cognitive impairment may worsen the status of CVD through insufficient medicine compliance, poor nutritional status, and limited physical activities. [3] the maintenance of cognitive function is an important factor for secondary prevention, and can be a therapeutic and interventional target in elderly patients with CVD. [1] The presence or onset of CVD impairs cognitive function through the activation of a thrombotic state, cardiac dysfunction, and vascular endothelial dysfunction. [3] the maintenance of cognitive function is an important factor for secondary prevention, and can be a therapeutic and interventional target in elderly patients with CVD. [4, 5] the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in improving cognitive function remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the change in cognitive function during the CR period and evaluated the efficacy according to the frequency of CR in elderly patients with CVD. Cognitive function is an important factor for secondary prevention in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the improvement of cognitive function
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