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Background: There is a decline in cognitive and functional skills in older adults. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of cognitive and mind-motor training (MMT) on cognition and functional skills in a community-dwelling sample of older adults. Methods: In this observer-blinded randomized clinical trial, 40 older adults with medical stability, ability to comprehend and respond to simple verbal instructions, no diagnosed psychological disorders, absence of severe visual and hearing problems, the capacity to walk independently, and a score of more than 46 in Berg Balance Scale were included. They were randomly allocated into cognitive or MMT groups. Cognitive training (CT) was practiced with activities for memory and attention, using paper–pencil tasks. MMT was practiced using a simple, indoor based square-stepping exercise. They practiced one-hour of training per day, three days a week, for eight weeks. Results: General linear model analysis showed that the time by groups was not statistically significant. The mean (standard deviation) scores in General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition Scale and Hindi Mental State Examination improved significantly (P < 0.001) following MMT [1.75 (1.29); 2.4 (1.34)] and CT [1.5 (1.36); 2.7 (0.99)]. The functional skills measured using Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale revealed beneficial changes for both the groups. None of the outcomes were statistically significant between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both cognitive and MMTs showed similar practice effects on cognition and functional skills in community-dwelling older adults.

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Background/Aims This study aimed to compare the impact of virtual reality game therapy and task-specific neurodevelopmental training on the motor recovery of upper limb and trunk control, as well as physical function, in people who have had a stroke. Methods This randomised, assessor-blinded clinical trial was conducted with 34 patients with post-stroke duration of 135 ± 23 days. Patients with first-onset cortical stroke aged 40–60 years, Mini-Mental State Examination score >20, ability to complete a nine-hole peg test within 120 seconds, ability to lift the affected arm at shoulder level and independent standing were included. Patients were excluded if they had unilateral neglect and musculoskeletal injuries of the affected limb in the past 2 months. Outcome measures used were the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale, Action Research Arm Test, Trunk Impairment Scale and Stroke Impact Scale-16. The virtual reality game therapy group performed interactive table tennis, boxing and discus throwing games. The neurodevelopmental treatment group underwent task-specific movements of the upper limb in sitting and standing. All patients performed 45 minutes of treatment, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Results Both groups showed improvements in all measures after training (P<0.05). There was a between-group difference of 3.47 points in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale in favour of the virtual reality game therapy. Conclusions Both treatment regimens resulted in equal improvements in hand dexterity and trunk control after stroke. Virtual reality game therapy improved the upper limb motor recovery of stroke survivors to a greater extent than neurodevelopmental treatment.

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