Brain Gym exercises versus standard exercises for institutionalised older people with cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled study

Abstract

Background. This study compared the effects of Brain Gym (BG) exercises versus standard exercise (SE) on cognitive function, functional independence, physical fitness, and quality of life among institutionalised older adults with cognitive impairment.Methods. Institutionalised older adults with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to either SE group or BG group. Participants performed two 1-hour sessions per week for 10 weeks. Cognitive function, functional independence, fitness level, and quality of life (QoL) of participants were assessed.Results: A total of 55 participants were assigned to the SE group (n=19) or the BG group (n=36). Of them, 17 in the SE group and 33 in the BG group completed >80% of the sessions. The two groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. Participants in both BG and SE groups had a slight decline in cognitive function, functional independence, and physical-related QoL, as well as minor improvement in fitness level and mental-related QoL. The effects produced by either programme was similar (F 1,76 =0.063-1.986, p=0.163). Both programmes had similar effects on participants, and neither the level of cognitive impairment nor the programme had any significant effect.Conclusions. BG and SE have similar effects on cognitive function, functional independence, QoL, and fitness levels among institutionalised older adults with cognitive impairment.

Factors related ART adherence and quality of life in PLHIV: Mediating role of positive self-care management and brain gym

“…Moreover, they have been linked to a decrease in the incidence of dementia and depression in older adults [29]. Lastly, brain gym exercises have been found to have positive effects on cognitive function, functional independence, quality of life, and fitness levels in older individuals with cognitive impairment [53][54][55].…”

Elementos para el afrontamiento de riesgos emocionales y físicos por covid-19

“…Desde la perspectiva degenerativa existen innumerables investigaciones que destacan como el promover ejercicios y estimulación del cerebro sin importar la edad, ayuda a prevenir y ralentizar los procesos del deterioro cognitivo que es propio de la naturaleza humana como lo es el envejecimiento. Exponiendo que el ejercicio mental influye tanto como el físico en el ser humano Cancela et al (2020) realizan una investigación con adultos mayores institucionalizados que presentan deterioro cognitivo, la muestra fue de un total de 55 participantes, cada grupo realizaba un ejercicio de manera moderada, el equipo A ejercicio físico y equipo B ejercicios mentales, siendo el caso de gimnasia cerebral; el mejoramiento de la independencia por parte de cada equipo de igual manera que la condición cognitiva aumento, demostrando efectos en ambos casos positivos influyentes en el deterioro cognitivo e independencia, arrojando como gran consideración para aumentar la calidad de vida del adulto mayor la práctica de estas actividades.…”