Effects of 2-Year Cognitive–Motor Dual-Task Training on Cognitive Function and Motor Ability in Healthy Elderly People: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We aimed to examine the effect of 2-year cognitive–motor dual-task (DT) training on cognitive functions and motor ability of healthy elderly people without marked cognitive impairment. From the 25 participants of our 12-week DT trial conducted in 2014, we recruited 8 subjects who voluntarily participated in a new DT training program once a week for 2 years (exercise (EX) group). Their cognitive functions were evaluated by the Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) examination and the Trail Making Test, and results were compared with those of the 11 subjects who discontinued the training and did not perform any types of exercise for 2 years (non-exercise (NO) group). Subjects in the NO group showed deterioration in the 3MS examination results, especially in the cognitive domain of attention. Meanwhile, participation in DT training maintained the scores in almost all domains of cognitive function, as well as the total 3MS scores. However, both groups had impaired quadriceps muscle strength and motor ability after the 2-year observation period. These results suggest that participating in exercise program comprising DT training for 2 years may be beneficial for maintaining the broad domains of cognitive function in healthy elderly people, although further verification is needed.

The effects of cognitive-motor training interventions on executive functions in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In contrast the GDT programs by Azadian and colleagues [26], Hiyamizu and colleagues [35], MacLean and colleagues [37] and Morita and colleagues [47] did not affect processing speed. All trials used a GDT walking intervention, which was combined with different cognitive tasks, e.g.…”

“…Table 3). Three studies were not able to show effects on their cognitive test battery [25,30,47]. The studies conducted by Ansai and colleagues [25] and Morita and colleagues [47] integrated a cognitive test that was not correlated to the cognitive dimensions that were addressed in the training program.…”

“…2). However, these results were heterogeneous (I 2 = 60%) due to the effects of the studies by Morita and colleagues [47] and Eggenberger and colleagues [33]. A sensitivity analysis excluding both studies revealed the effect for the comparison of the DT training intervention to an inactive control or active control group did not remain significant.…”

“…Five out of seven studies showed positive improvements of global cognitive function tests such as MMSE, MoCA or comparable instruments [32,34,36,38,47] (cf. Table 3).…”

“…Seven of these led to significant improvements of attentional control. Four of these studies used a GDT intervention [35,38,41,42,47]. Two studies conducted a SDT exergame intervention [39,40] and one used a GDT exergame [27].…”