Abstract
BackgroundDeclined cognitive function interferes with dual-task walking ability and may result in falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The mind-body exercise, Tai Chi (TC), improves cognition and dual-task ability. Exergaming is low-cost, safe, highly scalable, and feasible. Whether the effects of exergaming-based TC is beneficial than traditional TC has not been investigated yet.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate effects of exergaming-based TC on cognitive function and dual-task walking among older adults with MCI.MethodsFifty patients with MCI were randomly assigned to an exergaming-based TC (EXER-TC) group, a traditional TC (TC) group, or a control group. The EXER-TC and TC groups received 36 training sessions (three, 50-min sessions per week) during a 12-week period. The control group received no intervention and were instructed to maintain their usual daily physical activities. The outcome variables measured included those related to cognitive function, dual-task cost (DTC), and gait performance.ResultsThe EXER-TC and TC groups performed better than the control group on the Chinese version of the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Trail Making Test Parts A and B, the one-back test, gait speed, and DTC of gait speed in cognitive dual-task conditions after training. However, there were no significant differences between the EXER-TC and TC groups. Compared with the control group, only the EXER-TC group experienced beneficial effects for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.ConclusionEXER-TC was comparable to traditional TC for enhancement of dual-task gait performance and executive function. These results suggested that the EXER-TC approach has potential therapeutic use in older adults with MCI.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSGait control requires higher-level cognitive function, especially executive function
One participant in the EXER-Tai Chi (TC) group, one in the TC group, and one in the control group withdrew due to low motivation
A total of 50 participants (n = in the exergaming-based Tai Chi (EXER-TC) group, n = in the TC group, and n = 17 in the control group) completed all interventions and assessments; these data were used in the final statistical analysis
Summary
MATERIALS AND METHODSGait control requires higher-level cognitive function, especially executive function. Slowing dual-task gait velocities correlate with declines in executive function, visual working memory, and processing speeds in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (Doi et al, 2014). Gait control declines in speed and variability are associated with greater injurious fall risk in older adults with MCI (Pieruccini-Faria et al, 2020). This dual-task interference or cost might represent a surrogate motor marker and be associated with advancement toward dementia in older adults with MCI (Sakurai et al, 2019). Declined cognitive function interferes with dual-task walking ability and may result in falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Whether the effects of exergaming-based TC is beneficial than traditional TC has not been investigated yet
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