Exercise Telehealth in Rural-Dwelling Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: The MN RIDE Pilot Study

Abstract

Background The subjective cognitive decline (SCD) state offers a therapeutic window where interventions, such as aerobic exercise (AEx), have strong potential to delay the progression to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). Rural communities have greater barriers in participating in exercise and are at a higher risk of developing ADRDs than urban dwellers. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a synchronous AEx telerehabilitation program in persons with SCD living in rural areas. Methods The MN RIDE Study used a single-group, pretest-posttest design. All AEx sessions were supervised remotely via smart devices and Zoom by clinical exercise physiologists. The moderate-intensity AEx program was performed 3 times per week for 3 months (36 sessions). Outcomes assessed in participants’ places of residence included ADRD risk factors (depression [Geriatric Depression Scale]), cardiorespiratory fitness (1-min heart rate recovery from YMCA Step Test), and quality of life (WHOQOL). Paired t tests were performed, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were determined. Results The average age of the study sample (n = 9) was 57.4 ± 7.2 years (average age of SCD onset of 53.4 ± 7.5 years) with 14.0 ± 5.6 years of education; 78% of the participants were female. Moderate effect sizes were observed for the Geriatric Depression Scale (d = −0.65 [−1.39, 0.14]). Large effect sizes were observed for cardiorespiratory fitness (d = 0.73 [−15.49, 41.99]) and domain 1 on WHOQOL (d = 1.35 [−0.44, 1.82]). Conclusions Our study provides preliminary effectiveness and effect sizes regarding AEx telerehabilitation in persons with SCD living in underserved rural communities.