Differential effects of single versus combined cognitive and physical training with older adults: the SimA study in a 5-year perspective

Abstract

The present study evaluates the eVect of cognitive training, of psychoeducational training and of physical training on cognitive functioning, physical functioning, physical health, independent living and wellbeing in older people. Also the combination of physical training with cognitive training or psychoeducational training, respectively, was evaluated. In contrast to most training studies with older people, training eVects were evaluated in a longitudinal perspective over 5 years to analyse long-term-results of cognitive and physical activity on older adults. Training eVects were evaluated compared to a no-treatment-control group. Subjects were 375 community residents aged 75-93 years. Up to 5 years after baseline examination, signiWcant training eVects were observed in the group exposed to the combined cognitive and physical training. The physical and cognitive status in the participants of this group could be preserved on a higher level compared to baseline, and the participants displayed fewer depressive symptoms than the notreatment-control group. The results are discussed in the light of recent research regarding the eVects of mental and physical activity on brain function in older adults.

Comparing the Transfer Effects of Simultaneously and Sequentially Combined Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training in Older Adults

“…A possible reason for these mixed results is the heterogeneity of training schedules: Most multimodal studies have employed a sequential training schedule, in which participants engage in exercise followed by cognitive training, or vice versa, either in the same sessions or in separate sessions. For example, cognitive training followed by aerobic training in the same session produced significantly greater gains on EFs and verbal episodic memory when compared to cognitive training alone (Rahe et al 2015; see also Oswald et al 2006). By contrast, another sequential training protocol administered on different days led to comparable gains when compared to single-modality cognitive training on measures of EFs and episodic memory (Shatil 2013).…”

The Contributions of Cognitive Trainings to the Stability of Cognitive, Everyday, and Brain Functioning across Adulthood

“…From pre-to posttraining, the participants of the speed training group differentially improved compared to a passive control group in some driving simulator measures and undertook less dangerous manoeuvres in an on-road driving test. (Oswald et al, 2006) and the ACTIVE (Willis et al, 2006) studies followed their participants for 5 years after training termination. In the SimA study, large differential improvements in a cognitive composite measure derived from memory, attention, speed, and reasoning tests were found for the memory training group from pre-to posttraining compared to the passive control group.…”

Cognitive training in the rural elderly: A randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and accessibility of a new approach.

“…Randomized controlled studies are relatively sizable and also corroborate the therapeutic benefits of cognitive training in elderly populations (Faucounau et al, 2010;Valenzuela & Sachdev, 2009). Moreover, there is a body of literature documenting that cognitive benefits can be maintained for a considerable period of time beyond training, thereby staving off cognitive decline and subsequent dementia (Belleville, 2008;Oswald et al, 2006). A summation of the literature suggests sustained improvements for as long as five years in normal adults (Willis et al, 2006) and at least one year for pre-clinical (i.e., mildly impaired) populations (Rozzini et al, 2007).…”

“…Another reason for choosing anxiety is because of its direct impact on learning and cognitive performance (Eysenck, 1998). The importance of addressing emotions is reflected in a body of work showing that cognitive training programs that address negative emotions improve cognitive functioning to a greater extent than programs addressing only cognitive skills (Belleville, 2008;Oswald, Gunzelmann, Rupprecht, & Hagen, 2006). Meta-analysis of 33 studies of similar size and scope to the current project allows us to anticipate moderate effects (average ES = .07) (Verhaeghen, Marcoen & Goossens, 1992).…”

“…The SIMA trial investigated the effectiveness and durability of distinct cognitive interventions on improving cognitive and functional abilities in normal community-dwelling older adults (Oswald et al, 2006). The controlled trial involved 390 participants who received 30…”