This study aims to examine the effects of low-intensity, combined physical-cognitive exercise on cognitive function of older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and identify the mechanisms by which this exercise protocol exerts cognitive function. Older adults with MCI will be recruited to either an exercise or a control group. Low-intensity, combined physical-cognitive exercise will be prescribed to the exercise group 3 times per week for 3 months while the control group will maintain their routine lifestyle. It is hypothesized that at the end of the trial, participants in the exercise group will demonstrate significant improvement in cognitive performance and circulating biomarkers compared to baseline and the control group.
Accumulating evidence suggests that dementia may be preventable, especially at an early stage. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a preclinical phase of dementia, is a potentially reversible condition as several individuals with MCI could revert to normal level of cognition. Exercise has shown promising evidence of neurocognitive protection, however, not all studies reported such benefits. Type and intensity of exercise are two main factors that have often been accounted for discrepancies in previous findings. Based on previous evidence, low-intensity and combined physical-cognitive exercise might give the best result for cognitive enhancement. Thus, this study aims to examine the effects of low-intensity, combined physical-cognitive training on cognitive function of older people with MCI and identify the mechanisms by which this exercise protocol exerts cognitive function in individuals with MCI. A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Older adults with MCI will be recruited to either an exercise or a control group. Low-intensity, combined physical-cognitive exercise will be prescribed to the exercise group 3 times per week for 3 months while the control group will maintain their routine lifestyle. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after a 3-month exercise. The primary outcome measures will be cognitive performance (specific and global cognitive function) and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The secondary outcomes will include physical performance (functional mobility and strength), interleukin 6 (IL-6), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and metabolomic profiles. Intention-to-treat method will be applied for data analyses.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
64
A combined physical-cognitive exercise will be delivered in the form of exergame, where the participants move their body to interact with the game.
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai, Thailand
RECRUITINGADAS-Cog
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. The total scores range from 0-70 with higher scores indicating greater cognitive impairment.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Memory
Logical memory test will be evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Executive function
Trail making test (TMT) part B-A will be evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Plasma BDNF
Level of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weekss
Attention
Digit span forward-backward will be evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Plasma IL-6
Level of plasma IL-6 will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
FGF21
Level of plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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