Evaluation of the cognitive-motor training effectiveness in combination with drug therapy among patients with moderate cognitive disorders: the own research results

Abstract

Introduction. Non-drug methods of therapy for cognitive impairment is one of the topical areas of neurology. Studies have shown that cognitive training may be beneficial for maintaining mental alertness in healthy older adults, while patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment are more likely to benefit from cognitive-motor training or rehabilitation. It is possible that the severity and type of cognitive disorders, as well as patients’ adherence to training, the correct construction of tasks, may affect the effectiveness of non-drug therapy for cognitive disorders.Аim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-motor training developed at Sechenov University in patients with moderate cognitive impairment (MCI).Materials and methods. 41 patients were included in the study, including 8 women and 33 men, the average age of patients was 60.3 ± 8.5 years, the average level of education was 14.2 ± 8.7 years, of which 15 patients met the criteria AD, 26 – VCI criteria. Patients underwent quantitative neuropsychological testing, assessment of emotional disorders, and also assessed such indicators as satisfaction with the quality of life, adherence to therapy. Subsequently, the patients were divided into groups of individual and group cognitive training. Classes with patients were held according to the standard scheme, 30–50 minutes a day, for 40 days. After 3 months, 10 patients were randomly selected from the individual training group and received an additional course of group cognitive-motor training.Results. Тhe study showed that after 1.5 months, patients showed a significant decrease in the severity of cognitive disorders (p < 0.05). The greatest positive dynamics was noted in relation to the level of attention (p < 0.05), memory (including primary modal-nonspecific mnestic impairment, p < 0.05), logical operations (p < 0.05). The patients included in the study also showed a significant decrease in the severity of depression (p < 0.05). The analysis showed that significant positive dynamics was recorded both in patients of the individual CT group and in patients who received group CT (p < 0.05). The positive effect on cognitive functions was maintained during the three months of follow-up. Comparative analysis of study patients after 6 months showed that patients who received additional sessions with a trainer reported an additional improvement in well-being. These differences were statistically significant, despite the small number of patients included in the repeat CT group (p < 0.05).Conclusions. The effectiveness of cognitive-motor training in patients with MCI was noted. The results obtained allow us to recommend this type of cognitive-motor training for use in clinical practice by neurologists, therapists and psychiatrists as an additional effective method for the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Elderly Friendly Exercises: A PRISMA-Guided Review of the Literature to Enable Awareness of Exercise that are Recommended for Elderly

“…Two studies [190,194] included participants who had moderate cognitive impairment, one study included participants who were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease [189], and one study included participants who had a delay in hospital discharge for cognitive rehabilitation purposes [191]. Participants showed an improvement of cognitive capabilities after cognitive rehabilitation in two studies [189,190,192], specifically in verbal and visuospatial short-term and long-term memory, mental speed, attention, and logical operations. Participants who were in a setting with no cognitive activities [191] resulted in depression and a lack of motivation.…”

“…Studies show that cognitive rehabilitation can improve memory, verbal and visuospatial memory, speed, attention, and logical operation in the elderly population [189,190,192]. By keeping the mind active with cognitive rehabilitation tasks, elders are less likely to experience boredom, depression, or a lack of motivation [3].…”

“…By doing so, elders can improve their social and mental wellbeing [192]. Specific cognitive interventions [189], cognitive motor training [190], cognitive encoding, [192] are methods of cognitive rehabilitation that have successfully improved the mental well-being of cognitively impaired individuals. The use of the computerized cognitive training tool BrainStim has also proven so.…”