Abstract
BackgroundPoor eye–hand coordination is associated with the symptoms of the early stage of cognitive decline. However, previous research on the eye–hand coordination of older adults without cognitive impairment is scant. Therefore, this study examined the effects of interactive cognitive-motor training on the visual-motor integration, visual perception, and motor coordination sub-abilities of the eye–hand coordination and cognitive function in older adults.MethodsA double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with older adults. Sixty-two older adults were randomly assigned to the experimental (interactive cognitive-motor training) or active control (passive information activity) group, and both groups received 30 min of training each week, three times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was eye–hand coordination, which was further divided into the sub-abilities of visual–motor integration, visual perception, and motor coordination. The secondary outcome was cognitive function. The generalized estimating equation was used to examine differences in immediate posttest, 3-month posttest, and 6-month posttest results between the two groups. Additionally, the baseline effect sizes were compared with the effect sizes of the immediate posttest, 3-month posttest, and 6-month posttests for the experimental group.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups. The only statistically significant difference between the groups was in the attention dimension of cognitive function (p = 0.04). The visual–motor integration results showed a small to moderate effect size for pre post comparisons.ConclusionsThe 24 sessions of interactive cognitive-motor training showed no difference to an active control intervention. In the future, this intervention could be further investigated to establish whether it can be superior to an active control group in other populations.Trial registrationThe study protocol has been published on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) (registry no.: ChiCTR-IOR-14005490).
Highlights
Poor eye–hand coordination is associated with the symptoms of the early stage of cognitive decline
The findings of this study indicated that 30-min Interactive cognitive-motor training (ICMT) sessions conducted three times a week for 8 weeks, with a total of 24 sessions, showed a small to large effect size and no significant decline for the visual-motor integration (VMI), visual perception (VP), and motor coordination (MC) of eye–hand coordination (EHC)
This study verified that the 24 sessions of ICMT showed small to large effect sizes for the VMI, VP, and MC of EHC and could effectively promote the attention dimension of cognitive function
Summary
Poor eye–hand coordination is associated with the symptoms of the early stage of cognitive decline. Previous research on the eye–hand coordination of older adults without cognitive impairment is scant. As a result of aging, older adults exhibit a decline in cognitive function. Cognitive decline due to aging is progressive and irreversible, and it can hamper individuals’ performance of daily activities. The decline of cognitive functions and the development of dementia increase the probability of disability in older adults, resulting in an economic burden on the public health system [3]. A key issue is to identify how cognitive decline in older adults can be delayed and prevent a decline in their ADL ability and eye–hand coordination (EHC). Effective interventions that might reduce or delay cognitive decline, or lead to improvements in cognitive function and EHC, are critical for the older adults, especially those at higher risk of cognitive decline
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