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Aerobic exercise and dual-task training combination is the best combination for improving cognitive status, mobility and physical performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different exercise combinations on cognitive status, muscle strength of lower extremities, mobility, physical performance, mood and quality of life in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

A total of 48 older adults with MCI were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) aerobic plus lower extremity strengthening exercises (AG), (2) dual-task training plus lower extremity strengthening exercises (DG), (3) aerobic exercise, dual-task training and lower extremity strengthening exercises (ADG), (4) solely lower extremity strengthening exercises (CG). Patients’ cognitive status, lower extremity muscle strength, balance, mobility, activities-specific balance confidence, functional exercise capacity, physical performance, mood and quality of life were evaluated.

Results

In all three intervention groups, there was a significant improvement in cognitive status, balance, mobility, activities-specific balance confidence, physical performance, mood and quality of life (p < 0.05). The most remarkable change was observed in the ADG on cognitive status, mobility and physical performance parameters (p < 0.05). In addition, the most significant improvement in balance parameters was recorded both in the DG and ADG (p < 0.05). Besides, the highest increase in functional exercise capacity was detected both in the AG and ADG (p < 0.05). On the other hand, both exercise combinations were superior to the control group in terms of improving mood and quality of life (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The trial results proved that aerobic exercise and dual-task training is the best combination for improving cognitive status, mobility and physical performance in older adults with MCI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fethiye Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Elderly Care, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, 48330, Fethiye, Muğla, Turkey

    İsmail Uysal

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Selda Başar

  3. Special Fethiye Lokman Hekim Hospital, Muğla, Turkey

    Süleyman Aysel & Devrim Kalafat

  4. Fethiye State Hospital, Muğla, Turkey

    Ali Önder Büyüksünnetçi

Authors
  1. İsmail Uysal
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  2. Selda Başar
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  4. Devrim Kalafat
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  5. Ali Önder Büyüksünnetçi
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Correspondence to İsmail Uysal.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest and certify that no funding has been received for this study and/or preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Gazi University, (Ethics number: 04, Date 2019–01-14). All participants give their written informed consent to participate in the study. This trial was registered to clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05532371).

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Informed consent of the patients was obtained.

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Uysal, İ., Başar, S., Aysel, S. et al. Aerobic exercise and dual-task training combination is the best combination for improving cognitive status, mobility and physical performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 271–281 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-022-02321-7

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