The effect of a multicomponent intervention to promote community activity on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention combining physical, cognitive, and social activities developed to promote community activity in improving cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DesignSingle-blind randomized controlled trial. SettingA total of 83 Japanese older adults with MCI participated in the study from April to September 2017. InterventionsParticipants were randomly assigned to either the multicomponent intervention group (n = 41), attending 90-minute physical, cognitive, or social activity sessions using community resources twice weekly, or the health education control group (n = 42). OutcomesThe primary outcomes were cognitive functions, and the secondary outcomes were grip strength, walking speed, depressive symptoms, physical activities, number of outdoor activities, and conversation time. ResultsAnalysis using linear mixed models revealed significantly greater improvements in the intervention group in spatial working memory (p = 0.024) following intervention compared with the control group. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.048) and step count (p = 0.059) decreased from the baseline post-intervention in the control group, whereas the baseline was maintained in the intervention group. No significant between-group differences were found post-intervention in the other primary and secondary outcomes. ConclusionsThis study showed that a 24-week multicomponent intervention program was effective in improving spatial working memory and maintaining physical activity in older adults with MCI. A follow-up investigation is required to determine whether continuation of physical, cognitive, and social activity can prevent dementia or reverse MCI in older adults.