Affiliations: [a]
Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Clinical Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological Therapy Centre, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| [b]
Research Department, BG Klinikum Duisburg gGmbH, Duisburg, Germany
| [c]
Department of Arthroscopic Surgery, Sports Traumatology & Sports Medicine, BG Klinikum Duisburg gGmbH, Duisburg, Germany
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Vanessa Lissek, 1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Clinical Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological Therapy Centre, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany. E-mail: Vanessa.Lissek@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.
Abstract: Background:While cognitive interventions in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show positive effects on cognitive performance, physical activity appear to slow down cognitive decline, suggesting a relationship between both factors. However, previous combined programs that have shown significant improvement in cognitive function in MCI have typically trained cognition and physical functioning separately. Objective:This project aimed at evaluating two group interventions combining the stimulation of physical and cognitive domains in individuals with MCI: Simultaneous stimulation of physical and cognitive skills in comparison to a standardized training, which stimulates cognitive and physical functions separately. Methods:The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. The first group was trained on the SpeedCourt® system while the second group completed the standardized Fitfor100 program. Training was completed by a total of 39 subjects with diagnosed MCI as determined by the CERAD (SpeedCourt®: 24 subjects, Fitfor100:15 individuals). Results:There were significant improvements of physical factors (e.g., hand strength and balance) in both groups. Improvement in the CERAD total score allowed for a post interventional classification of all participants into non-MCI and MCI. This effect persisted over a period of three months. Both forms of intervention were found to be effective in improving various cognitive functions which persisted for a period of three months. Conclusion:Both evaluated non-pharmacological, multicomponent interventions, which combined physical and cognitive training in a social setting showed improvement of cognitive functions leading to a persistent classification of former MCI patients in non-MCI patients.
Keywords: Cognitive training, mild cognitive impairment, multi- component intervention, physiological intervention, simultaneous stimulation of physical and cognitive abilities
