TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical activity and executive functions in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment
AU - Scherder, E.J.A.
AU - van Paasschen, J.
AU - Deijen, J.B.
AU - van de Knokke, S.
AU - Orlebeke, J.F.
AU - Burgers, I.
AU - Devriese, P.P.
AU - Swaab, D.F.
AU - Sergeant, J.A.
N1 - Working title: Physical activity and executive functions in mild cognitive impairment/repairment
PY - 2005/5
Y1 - 2005/5
N2 - The primary goal of the present study was to examine whether in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the effect of physical activity measured directly following treatment, was reflected in an improvement in cognitive functioning in general or in executive functions (EF) in particular. Secondly, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of intervention, with varying intensities: walking and hand/face exercises. Forty-three frail, advanced elderly subjects (mean age: 86) with MCI were randomly divided into three groups, namely, a walking group (n = 15), a group performing hand and face exercises (n = 13), and a control group (n = 15). All subjects received individual treatment for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for a period of six weeks. A neuropsychological test battery, administered directly after cessation of treatment, assessed cognitive functioning. The results show that although a (nearly) significant improvement in tasks appealing to EF was observed in both the walking group and the hand/face group compared to the control group, the results should be interpreted with caution. Firm conclusions about the effectiveness of mild physical activity on EF in the oldest old can only be drawn after studies with larger number of subjects. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.
AB - The primary goal of the present study was to examine whether in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the effect of physical activity measured directly following treatment, was reflected in an improvement in cognitive functioning in general or in executive functions (EF) in particular. Secondly, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of intervention, with varying intensities: walking and hand/face exercises. Forty-three frail, advanced elderly subjects (mean age: 86) with MCI were randomly divided into three groups, namely, a walking group (n = 15), a group performing hand and face exercises (n = 13), and a control group (n = 15). All subjects received individual treatment for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for a period of six weeks. A neuropsychological test battery, administered directly after cessation of treatment, assessed cognitive functioning. The results show that although a (nearly) significant improvement in tasks appealing to EF was observed in both the walking group and the hand/face group compared to the control group, the results should be interpreted with caution. Firm conclusions about the effectiveness of mild physical activity on EF in the oldest old can only be drawn after studies with larger number of subjects. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.
U2 - 10.1080/13607860500089930
DO - 10.1080/13607860500089930
M3 - Article
SN - 1360-7863
VL - 9
SP - 272
EP - 280
JO - Aging and Mental Health
JF - Aging and Mental Health
IS - 3
ER -
