Effects of Smartphone-Based Compensatory Cognitive Training and Physical Activity on Cognition, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Women with Subjective Cognitive Decline.

Yanghee Pang,Oksoo Kim

doi:10.3390/brainsci11081029

Abstract

Subjective cognitive decline is a symptom that may appear in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This study examined the effects of smartphone-based calendar training and walking exercise regimen on postmenopausal women experiencing subjective cognitive decline. Experimental group 1 participated in both calendar training and walking exercise, group 2 participated in calendar training only, and the control group did not receive either intervention. Forty-two participants completed a cognitive function test and questionnaire upon entering the study and 12 weeks later. The controlled oral word association score increased in experimental groups 1 and 2 and decreased in the control group. Memory contentment increased in experimental group 1, maintained in experimental group 2, and decreased in the control group. Smartphone-based calendar training and a walking exercise regimen improved executive function and memory contentment in everyday life, but the effects on depressive symptoms and self-esteem were not significant. Our findings demonstrate that smartphone-based calendar training and walking exercise improved cognitive function and have potential as nonpharmacologic interventions to strengthen cognitive function in women experiencing subjective cognitive decline.

Highlights

Experimental group 1 participated in both calendar training and exercise, group 2 participated in calendar training only, and the control group did not receive either intervention
We evaluated the effects of smartphone-based calendar training and a walking exercise intervention on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem walking exercise intervention on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and self-esin women with Subjective cognitive decline (SCD)
Convenient smartphonebased interventions were applied among middle-aged and elderly women living in the community and were found to improve executive function and memory contentment in everyday life

Summary

Introduction

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as the recognition a self-reported decreased in cognitive function even when the individual’s objective cognitive function test results are normal, and is considered the earliest preclinical indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [1]. SCD may be associated with medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, and emotional problems, such as depression [2], and was associated with frailty in the elderly [3]. Cognitive function in people with SCD is normal, but amyloidosis and neurodegeneration, which are biomarkers of AD, can be observed in the cerebral spinal fluid and magnetic resonance imaging tests [4]. Since SCD can be the earliest preclinical indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, efforts to maintain brain health are needed from the early stages of SCD

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