Does multicomponent physical exercise with simultaneous cognitive training boost cognitive performance in older adults? A 6-month randomized controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up
Patrick Eggenberger, Vera Schumacher, Marius Angst, Nathan Theill and Eling D de Bruin
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2015:10 1335–1349
Background: A decrease in cognitive performance in old age is predominant in most individuals. Physical and cognitive training have differential positive effects on cognition, but have been rarely applied in combination. This study evaluates synergistic effects of multicomponent physical exercise complemented with novel simultaneous cognitive training on cognition in older adults.
The purpose of this study: To compare two variations of simultaneous cognitive–physical training with an exclusively physical multicomponent program and to evaluate the effects of these programs on cognition in healthy elderly people.
Question research: Does multicomponent physical exercise with simultaneous cognitive training boost cognitive performance in older adults? and how ?
Methods: Seniors, older than 70 years, without cognitive impairment, were randomly assigned to either: 1) virtual reality video game dancing (DANCE), 2) treadmill walking with simultaneous verbal memory training (MEMORY), or 3) treadmill walking (PHYS). Each program was complemented with strength and balance exercises. Two 1-hour training sessions per week over 6 months were applied. Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline, after 3 and 6 months, and at 1-year follow-up. Multiple regression analyses with planned comparisons were calculated.
Results: Eighty-nine participants were randomized to the three groups initially, 71 completed the training, while 47 were available at 1-year follow-up. Advantages of the simultaneous cognitive–physical programs were found in two dimensions of executive function. “Shifting attention” showed a time × intervention interaction in favor of DANCE/MEMORY versus PHYS; and “working memory” showed a time × intervention interaction in favor of DANCE versus MEMORY . Performance improvements in executive functions, long-term visual memory, and processing speed were maintained at follow-up in all groups.
Conclusion : Particular executive functions benefit from simultaneous cognitive–physical training compared to exclusively physical multicomponent training. Cognitive–physical training programs may counteract widespread cognitive impairments in the elderly.