Effects of momentum-based dumbbell training on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an innovative momentum-based dumbbell-training intervention on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Subjects and methodsA total of 45 community-dwelling older adults with MCI were randomly assigned to either a dumbbell-training group (DTG; n=22) or a control group (CG; n=23). Participants in the DTG participated in exercise sessions three times weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were cognitive function, including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) – Cognitive subscale, Trail Making Test part B, Digit Span Test (DST) – forward, and DST – backward, with secondary outcome measures being Timed Up and Go, functional reach, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale.ResultsIn an intent-to-treat analysis, participants in the DTG had significantly improved ADAS – Cognitive subscale scores compared to those in the CG (5.02 points, P=0.012). There was a significant within-group change (improvement) in Trail Making Test part B (33.32 seconds, P<0.001) and DST – backward (0.41 points, P=0.025) scores. No change was observed for the DST – forward measure. Participants in the DTG also improved their functional mobility compared to those in the CG (Timed Up and Go, 0.81 seconds; P=0.043).ConclusionThere is preliminary evidence showing the potential benefit of momentum-based dumbbell training for improving cognitive function in older adults with MCI.

Effect of exercise on cognitive function in chronic disease patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…We found positive overall random effect of exercise intervention on cognitive function in studies evaluating Alzheimer’s disease patients. Nine studies containing 1,117 participants examined the effect of exercise on cognitive function in patients with MCI 33,37–39,47,48,51,53,57,58. In these studies, the difference observed in postintervention cognitive function did not differ between the exercise group and the control group.…”

“…Five studies containing 261 participants examined the effect of resistance exercise on cognitive function in patients with chronic disease 32,39,41,45,54. Eight studies containing 725 participants examined the effect of combined exercise on cognitive function in patients with chronic disease 34,38,43,47,48,50,52,56.…”

Postural Hypotension and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

“…Exercise, in particular, is widely regarded as an effective means to slow or reverse cognitive decline ( Ballesteros, Kraft, Santana, & Tziraki, 2015 ), and remarkably, mild exercise programs (walking, 2-kg dumbbells, etc.) albeit of long duration (60 min, 3 times per week) have been shown to significantly improve cognitive performance in older adults ( Lu et al, 2016 ). These observations naturally raise the question of whether the effectiveness of the exercise programs is simply a function of exercise effects on BP, and therefore cerebral perfusion, in the elderly subjects.…”

Efficacy of lifestyle and psychosocial interventions in reducing cognitive decline in older people: Systematic review

“…The benefits of the intervention were achieved by 15 weeks and sustained for six months (Sungkarat et al, 2018). One trial that evaluated a momentumbased dumbbell-training class, thrice weekly for 12 weeks (with 84 % adherence) (Lu et al, 2016) in 45 people with MCI reported significantly improved global cognition and executive functioning in the intervention relative to the control group (data was not available to calculate effect size). The authors posit that variation in position changes and movement configurations during the dumbbell-training sessions involve cognitive tasks, including spatiotemporal orientation, selective attention, and executive control.…”