The eighteen months’ follow‐up, second version, after the intervention using a rehabilitation program of physical and cognitive rec‐Xercise (REPCREC) for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundTo prevent or slow down the age‐related cognitive decline is an important issue. Therefore we have conducted intervention study with our rehabilitation program of physical and cognitive Rec‐Xercise (REPCREC) for the elderly with MCI.MethodSeventy‐six cases, out of seventy‐nine enrolled individuals, have undergone our evaluation and intervention program (REPCREC). The subjects have been divided into four groups; group A the cognitive REPCREC, group B physical REPCREC, group C both cognitive and physical REPCREC and group D control. The design of this study is a non‐randomized controlled trial. Intervention groups have received the each session once per week up to twelve times. Before and after the intervention, and 3‐, 6‐, 12‐ & 18‐months after the intervention, we have evaluated the following items: physical function, GDS, POMS2, neuropsychological tests [MMSE, RBMT, TMT, Ravenʼs Colored Progressive Matrices(RCPM), Rey‐Osterrieth Complex Figure Test(ROCF), story retention, coding and Miyake’s paired verbal associate learning test(MPVALT)]. A one‐day booster program has been provided at the time of evaluation. For statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test and Kruscal‐Wallis test for the baseline data, and linear mixed model(LMM) analysis have been performed.ResultThe median age is 79, median MMSE scare is 27.5, and the numbers of each group are A18, B24, C27, and D7 cases. At the baseline, no difference between groups except POMS‐F (p = 0.026). LMM analysis revealed the significant differences: 1) before REPCREC; RCPM of group A (p = 0.013), story retention delayed (p = 0.001) of group A (p = 0.011)▪C (p = 0.037), story retention immediate (p = 0.022), MPVALT (non‐related) (p = 0.048) and ROCF (recall) (p = 0.006), 2) after REPCREC; coding (p = 0.011) of group A (p = 0.049)▪C (p = 0.032) and ROCF(recall) (p = 0.018), 3) 3 months after REPCREC; TMTB (p = 0.031) of group A (p = 0.032) and story retention delayed of group A (p = 0.011).ConclusionThe program REPCREC showed the better effects after REPCREC on non‐verbal intelligence, visuospatial abilities, memory, attention, planning, working memory etc. [RCPM, ROCF (recall), MPVALT] in especially the cognitive REPCREC (group A). And group A showed the significant improvement in TMTB and story retention delayed, even three months after REPCREC. That may indicate the prolonged efficacy of the REPCREP in shift of attention and coherent memory for MCI