Abstract
A growing number of studies have shown that mind-body exercise is beneficial to cognitive function, especially memory, in elderly MCI patients. However, few studies have explored the effect of mind-body exercise on the attention of MCI population. We recruited 69 participants and divided them equally into Baduanjin, brisk walking (BWK) exercise or usual physical activity (UAP) control groups. The two exercise groups performed 60 min of exercise three times per week for 24 weeks. All subjects underwent whole-brain functional MRI and assessment of attentional abilities, including selective, divided, and sustained attention, and processing speed at baseline and after 24 weeks. The results show that: Baduanjin exercise significantly increased the selective attention of MCI patients, and Dorsal attention network (DAN) of Baduanjin exercise group exhibited functional connectivity decreased in right rolandic operculum (ROL. R), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG. R), right supramarginal inferior parietal, angular gyri (IPL. R), right precuneus (PCUN. R), and right fusiform gyrus (FFG. R) regions compared with the other two groups. The BWK exercise group had obviously functional connectivity increased in IPL. R and decreased in the MTG. R region compared to that in the UAP group. But no significant association between the changes of functional connectivity of DAN and the change of attentional ability test was observed. Thus, our data indicated Baduanjin exercise may be a potential beneficial intervention to improve the attention of the elderly with MCI. Further study with more samples is necessary to elucidate its imaging mechanism.
Highlights
At present, over 46 million people are living with dementia, and by 2050, this number will rise to almost 131.5 million worldwide; dementia has been identified as a global health priority due to the growing burden of the disease (Prince, 2015)
After the 24 weeks of the intervention period, covariance analysis pre-post changes of attention with adjusted gender, age and education showed only average number of correct congruent condition were significantly different between the three groups (P = 0.038); further post hoc analysis showed that the average number of correct congruent condition for the Baduanjin group was significant increase than that of the usual physical activity (UAP) group (P = 0.008)
We investigated differences in attentional ability at baseline and after 24 weeks of Baduanjin practice compared with a brisk walking (BWK) group and a UAP group in older adults with Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Summary
Over 46 million people are living with dementia, and by 2050, this number will rise to almost 131.5 million worldwide; dementia has been identified as a global health priority due to the growing burden of the disease (Prince, 2015). Studies have shown that attention deficits in MCI patients may be the entry point for developing dementia and can be an early indication of subsequent changes in other cognitive functions (Marra et al, 2000; Zhou and Wang, 2005). Some studies have suggested that functional change in the DAN could be used as a sensitive indicator of MCI disease progression (Li et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2015). Studies have demonstrated that regular practice of Baduanjin exercise can result in physiological benefits, such as improved cardiopulmonary function, balance, and reduced osteoarthritis, and improve cognitive function in older people with or without cognitive impairment (Zou et al, 2018). No studies have reported the effect of Baduanjin exercise on attentional ability or the relationship between attention and the DAN in MCI patients
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