Acute Cognitive Effects of Physical Activity for People who have Dementia

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has the potential to improve cognition for those with dementia, as demonstrated by randomised controlled trials lasting at least 6 weeks. Research is yet to explore the acute cognitive effects of physical activity for people with dementia. Acute resistance physical activity with healthy late-middle aged individuals has been shown to facilitate general cognition, as well as benefit executive function specifically. This study therefore aimed to establish if people with dementia experience cognitive benefits from acute resistance physical activity over and above a social control. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied to compare resistance physical activity to bingo between 10 participants with dementia to 15 age-matched controls. Following University ethical approval, participants were recruited from Alzheimer's or dementia activity and support groups held in the community. Acute cognitive effects were assessed using the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), Verbal Fluency (VF) and The Cognitive Computerised Test Battery for Individual's with Intellectual Disabilities (CCIID); before and after a short bout of seated resistance band physical activity or a social control, bingo. The participants then completed the opposing activity 6 weeks later, and then cognitive assessments alone a further 6 weeks later. This allowed to analyse cognitive effects immediately and 6 weeks after. Statistical analysis included Mann Whitney U test, Chi-square test and Mix-measured ANOVA to compare scores across time-points. Results: Participants had a mean age of 76 years, 40% were male and 60% were female. For participants with dementia immediately after the resistance band activity improvements can be observed on the MMSE, VF, HVLT, Series, Jigsaw and Total CCIID. Only the MMSE, Series and Total CCIID still showed improvements at 6-weeks followup. Immediately following the psychosocial intervention, participants with dementia only showed improvements on the HVLT, which were not sustained after 6-weeks. For agematched controls, bingo appeared to be more beneficial than physical activity. Conclusion: These results indicate that there are differential acute effects of activity depending upon pre-existing cognitive ability. Specific cognitive benefits may be available for people with dementia following resistance band physical activity. This pilot study shows promising indications for physical activity as a therapy for dementia, however results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size of this study.

“I guess you can interpret it in a number of ways like kind of a milder or the mildest form of dementia?”: Multi-stakeholder perceptions of cognitive impairment

“…The results of this study have key implications for policymakers, particularly in considering the development of information and awareness campaigns. Whilst research supports the role of healthy lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in cognitive health (Clark et al, 2016; Elliott-King et al, 2019; Etgen et al, 2011; Hahn & Andel, 2011; Liu et al, 2020; Scarmeas et al, 2018), the role of diet was not discussed by participants until this was raised by a question from the researcher, suggesting that this factor was often not viewed as a key risk factor or possible cause of cognitive impairment. However, once diet was addressed, most participants agreed that this may play a role in cognition, though one participant explicitly stated that this was not something she had ever thought about before.…”

“…Although the risk of MCI increases with age (Han et al, 2022; Luck et al, 2010), there are a number of modifiable risk factors for MCI which can increase or decrease the likelihood of developing MCI in later life. For example, nutrition and diet have been linked to cognitive health (Scarmeas et al, 2018), as has physical activity (Clark et al, 2016; Elliott-King et al, 2019; Hahn & Andel, 2011; Liu et al, 2020). However, while research shows promising results on cognition from lifestyle changes, knowledge and awareness of these modifiable risk factors in relation to dementia among the population is low (Nagel et al, 2021; Parial et al, 2021).…”

Understandings of mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a survey study of public and professional perspectives

“…As MCI is a possible precursor of dementia, it is important to consider public awareness of cognitive impairment and understanding of potential causes, including where lifestyle changes may alter the risk of cognitive impairment. For example, physical activity is associated with better cognitive function among older people (Liu et al , 2020), people living with mild cognitive impairment (Hahn and Andel, 2011) and people living with dementia (Elliott-King et al , 2019), and thus, physical activity may be a protective factor in reducing the risk of MCI and dementia (Sumic et al , 2007). Similarly, nutrition and diet have been identified as modifiable risk factors for cognitive dysfunction (Scarmeas et al , 2018) and also show promise in alleviating cognitive deficits for people living with MCI (Hahn and Andel, 2011).…”