Three months of multimodal training contributes to mobility and executive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment, but not in those with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 12-week multimodal physical exercise program on global cognition, executive function and mobility in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) of two groups in parallel; single-blind.

Method: Patients were allocated to a control group (CG; n = 28 comprising MCI = 14 and AD = 14) and an exercise group (EG; n = 28 comprising MCI = 14 and AD = 14). The participants' physical and cognitive abilities were evaluated before and three months after the intervention. The training consisted of a 1-hour supervised program of multimodal physical exercises (aerobic, strength, balance and flexibility) of moderate intensity, delivered twice a week.

Results: The independent t-test of the delta (Δ = post-intervention - pre-intervention) was used to compare the groups (CG x EG) for each diagnosis (MCI and AD). There was a significant difference only in the simple task mobility test (ΔCG: -0.18 ± 0.53; ΔEG: -1.05 ± 0.57; P = 0.03) and in the verbal fluency (ΔCG: -1.30 ± 2.49; ΔEG: 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.05) of the elderly with MCI, showing a beneficial effect of the multimodal exercise in this group.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a 12-week multimodal physical exercise program contributed to improvements in the mobility and executive function of elderly individuals with MCI, but not of those with AD. Although more RCTs are needed, physical exercise should be recommended to those in the early stages of neurocognitive disorder.

Keywords: Dementia; Executive functions; Exercise; Mobility limitation; Multimodal treatment.