Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of exercise (EX) that can be used for adjunctive treatment in mental disorders. Despite several clinical experiments using exercise interventions, controlled studies are sparse in most disorder groups. Square dance is a popular aerobic exercise for older women in China. This study aimed to explore the effect of Chinese square dance exercise on mild mental disorders in older women. Participants included 109 older women with mild cognitive impairment from four large nursing homes. Participants were assigned either to the intervention group (n = 62) or the control group (n = 47), according to their residential nursing home. The intervention group underwent an 18-week square dance exercise, while the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. The outcomes were tested at baseline and weeks 9 and 18. The results showed that square dance exercise positively affected the results of all evaluations, especially on the participants' depressive symptoms and quality-of-life-related mental health. This study demonstrates that square dance exercise is a safe and effective approach for older women with mild cognitive impairment that benefits their long-term health.

The present study aimed to assess the effects of square dance exercise on the cognitive function and quality of life in older women with mild cognitive impairment and to investigate the mediating role of a depressed mood and reduced quality of life in the relationship between square dance exercise and cognition. The study design was a single-blind whole-group controlled trial. A total of 136 eligible participants were divided according to their nursing home into either an experimental or control group. The nursing home grouping was determined by the drawing of lots. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Quality of Life (SF-12) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used to assess participants at baseline, week 9, and week 18, respectively. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare the results at baseline with mid-test and post-test changes in cognitive function and quality of life. Maximum likelihood estimation (ML) and robust standard errors were used to perform the mediation model. The study results indicated that the experimental group (compared to the control group) had a significant improvement in cognitive function, quality of life, and mood state at baseline in the mid-test and post-test results. The results of this 18-week experiment showed that the exercise–cognition relationship was significantly mediated by a reduction in depressive symptoms (indirect effect: β = −0.375; 95% CI = −0.864 to −0.069) and an improvement in quality of life (indirect effect: β = −0.678; 95% CI = −1.222 to −0.290). This study revealed the effects of moderate-intensity square dance exercise on cognitive function and quality of life in older Chinese women with mild cognitive impairment and explored the potential mediating mechanisms. These findings can be used to inform the development of public health policies to promote brain health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

This review aims to systematically review the effects of physical exercise on the cognitive performance of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its mechanisms of action. Databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until December 2021. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effect of an exercise intervention (compared with no exercise) on patients with AD. The measures included cognitive function [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease assessment scale-cognitive (ADAS-Cog), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) and Executive Function (EF)]. The methodological quality of the included literature was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Twenty-two studies (n = 1647, mean age: 77.1 ± 6.3 years) were included in the systematic review, sixteen of which were included in the meta-analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that physical exercise positively affects cognitive performance in older patients with AD. However, the positive effects of the intervention should be interpreted with caution considering the differences in methodological quality, type, frequency, and duration of exercise in the included studies. Future studies should consider the design rigor and specification of RCT protocols.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise as a cognitive intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline databases were searched from their inception until 30 April 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of aerobic exercise on global cognitive function in older adults with MCI were included. Ten eligible trials with acceptable methodological quality were identified. The meta-analysis results showed that aerobic exercise significantly improved the MMSE (N = 956, MD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.28–0.92, p = 0.0003, I2 = 31%, fixed effects model) and MoCA scores (N = 398, MD = 1.67, 95% CI. 1.18–2.15, p < 0.0001, I2 = 37%, fixed-effects model) and overall cognitive performance in patients with MCI. The results of this study suggest that participation in regular aerobic exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults with MCI. These findings should be used with caution considering the limitations of the study.

The development of movement skills in children is a critical element in promoting physical activity and other positive health trajectories over their lifetime. A reliable and valid assessment tool is essential for evaluating children’s movement skills in daily physical education environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of Children’s Motor Skills Quotient (CMSQ) used in the classroom setting. Six raters conducted evaluation to participants, and a total of 734 children completed all the test items and were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and Rasch analysis were used in this study. The descriptive statistics were mainly used for calculating the mean, standard deviation, percentage, and internal consistency coefficient. Rasch analysis was used to verify the fitting statistics, project difficulty, and functional differences of the items of the CMSQ. The findings showed that the CMSQ met the assumption of the Rasch model, including the unidimensionality, local independence, person measure, and item difficulty hierarchy. The CMSQ also demonstrated adequate interrater reliability and internal consistency. The differential item functioning (DIF) demonstrated a few items showing different probabilities across sex and age. To maintain the item difficulty hierarchy of the CMSQ, no items were deleted. Overall, the CMSQ seems to have appropriate test items with an appropriate rating scale structure for measuring 6-9-year-old children’s movement skills in the physical education classroom environment.