[Cognitive training combined with aerobic exercises in multiple sclerosis patients: a pilot study]
- PMID: 28555454
[Cognitive training combined with aerobic exercises in multiple sclerosis patients: a pilot study]
Abstract
Introduction: The scientific evidences associated to the effectiveness of different techniques of cognitive rehabilitation are still contradictory.
Aim: To compare a program of combined training (physical and cognitive) in front of a program of physical training and to observe their effectiveness about the optimization of the cognitive functions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Patients and methods: It was carried out an experimental study in 32 patients with MS. The patients were distributed in two groups: 16 to the experimental group (combined cognitive training with aerobic exercises) and 16 patients to the control group (aerobic exercises). The intervention was planned for six weeks combining cognitive tasks by means of a game of dynamic board of cubes and signs (TaDiCS ®) and a program of aerobic exercises. The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Test and the Stroop Test were applied to evaluate the cognitive yield. Also, the Beck Depression Inventory was administered.
Results: There were found significant differences in the intergrupal analysis after the intervention in the variable learning and visuoespacial long term memory (p = 0.000), attention (p = 0.026) and inhibitory control (p = 0.007). Also, in the intragroup analysis there were found significant differences in these variables and information processing speed in the group that received the combined training. These patients also showed a significant improvement in the emotional state (p = 0.043).
Conclusion: The cognitive training combined with the aerobic exercises is effective to improve the cognitive performance.
Title: Entrenamiento cognitivo combinado con ejercicios aerobicos en pacientes con esclerosis multiple: estudio piloto.
Introduccion. Las evidencias cientificas asociadas a la efectividad de distintas tecnicas de rehabilitacion cognitiva todavia resultan contradictorias. Objetivo. Comparar un programa de entrenamiento combinado (fisico y cognitivo) frente a un programa de entrenamiento fisico y observar su eficacia sobre la optimizacion de las funciones cognitivas en pacientes con esclerosis multiple (EM). Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo un estudio experimental en 32 pacientes con EM. Los pacientes se distribuyeron en dos grupos: 16 al grupo experimental (entrenamiento cognitivo combinado con ejercicios aerobicos) y 16 al grupo control (ejercicios aerobicos). La intervencion se planifico para seis semanas combinando tareas cognitivas mediante un juego de tablero dinamico de cubos y signos (TaDiCS ®) y un programa de ejercicios aerobicos. Se aplico la bateria breve repetible de tests neuropsicologicos y el test de Stroop para evaluar el rendimiento cognitivo. Ademas, se administro el inventario de depresion de Beck. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el analisis intergrupo despues de la intervencion en las variables aprendizaje y memoria a largo plazo visuoespacial (p = 0,000), atencion (p = 0,026) y control inhibitorio (p = 0,007). Asimismo, en el analisis intragrupo se encontraron diferencias significativas en estas variables y en la velocidad en el procesamiento de la informacion en el grupo que recibio el entrenamiento combinado. Estos pacientes tambien mostraron una mejoria significativa en el estado de animo (p = 0,043). Conclusion. El entrenamiento cognitivo combinado con los ejercicios aerobicos resulta eficaz para mejorar el funcionamiento cognitivo.