The training program improved cognitive function, muscle endurance, aerobic conditioning, and balance in older adults with MCI.

Objective: To determine the effects of group exercises on balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Design: Single blinded, randomized, matched pairs clinical trial. Setting: Four primary healthcare units. Subjects: Fifty-two sedentary subjects with mild cognitive impairment were paired (age, sex, body mass index, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised score), tested, and then randomized into an intervention group (n = 26) and a control group (n = 26). Intervention: The intervention group performed strength (ankle weights, elastic bands, and dumbbells) and aerobic exercises (walking) in their communities’ public spaces, twice a week (60 minutes each), during 24 weeks. The control group maintained its usual routine. Main measures: Balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)), mobility (Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Before the intervention, the two groups did not differ statistically. After, the intervention group showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) in balance (before: 53 ± 3; after: 55.1 ± 1.1 points), mobility (before: 10.7 ± 2.9 seconds; after: 8.3 ± 2 seconds), and depressive symptoms (median punctuation (interquartile range) before: 4 (1.8–6); after: 2.5 (1–4)). The control group presented a significant increase in their depressive symptoms (median before: 3.5 (2–7.3); after: 4 (2–5.3)), while their balance and mobility showed no significant modification. Small effect sizes were observed in the intervention group and control group depressive symptoms, as well as in the control group’s mobility and balance. Large effect sizes were observed the intervention group’s mobility and balance. Conclusion: Group exercises improved balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

RESUMO Este artigo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da eletroestimulação neuromuscular (EENM) sobre a funcionalidade de idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis hospitalizados. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado com 17 idosos hospitalizados. Foram avaliados dados antropométricos, socioeconômicos e clínicos, seguido da escala proposta por Fried para identificação da síndrome da fragilidade. Além disso, foram avaliados a perimetria da coxa e a força de membros inferiores pelo Medical Research Council (MRC) e teste de sentar e levantar (TSL). Os pacientes foram randomizados em grupo-controle (GC; n=9), com idade de 67,7±6,9 anos e grupo intervenção (GI; n=8), com idade de 71,2±5,6 anos. Ambos os grupos receberam atendimento de fisioterapia convencional. O protocolo de EENM foi aplicado somente no grupo intervenção. Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto ao perfil sociodemográfico, antropométrico, quanto às características clínicas e quanto ao uso contínuo de medicamentos. Houve efeitos significativos da EENM quando comparados ao GC para perimetria da coxa direita (p=0,03); para o número de repetições no TSL (p=0,004) e para a força muscular do quadríceps (p=0,01), avaliados pela escala MRC. O treinamento muscular de quadríceps com a EENM foi efetivo nos idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis hospitalizados, promovendo aumento da força e do desempenho funcional.