Effects of Exergaming-Based Tai Chi on Cognitive Function and Dual-Task Gait Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Control Trial

• Published in: Frontiers in aging neuroscience Vol. 14; p. 761053
• Main Authors: Liu, Chien-Liang, Cheng, Fang-Yu, Wei, Min-Ju, Liao, Ying-Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Research Foundation 15.03.2022; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Aging Neuroscience; Brain research; cognition; Cognitive ability; Dementia; dual task gait; Executive function; exergaming; Gait; Martial arts; MCI; Memory; Older people; tai chi; Walking; Taiwan; tai chi; exergaming; MCI; cognition; dual task gait
• ISSN: 1663-4365; 1663-4365
• DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.761053

Declined cognitive function interferes with dual-task walking ability and may result in falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The mind-body exercise, Tai Chi (TC), improves cognition and dual-task ability. Exergaming is low-cost, safe, highly scalable, and feasible. Whether the effects of exergaming-based TC is beneficial than traditional TC has not been investigated yet. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of exergaming-based TC on cognitive function and dual-task walking among older adults with MCI. Fifty patients with MCI were randomly assigned to an exergaming-based TC (EXER-TC) group, a traditional TC (TC) group, or a control group. The EXER-TC and TC groups received 36 training sessions (three, 50-min sessions per week) during a 12-week period. The control group received no intervention and were instructed to maintain their usual daily physical activities. The outcome variables measured included those related to cognitive function, dual-task cost (DTC), and gait performance. The EXER-TC and TC groups performed better than the control group on the Chinese version of the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Trail Making Test Parts A and B, the one-back test, gait speed, and DTC of gait speed in cognitive dual-task conditions after training. However, there were no significant differences between the EXER-TC and TC groups. Compared with the control group, only the EXER-TC group experienced beneficial effects for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. EXER-TC was comparable to traditional TC for enhancement of dual-task gait performance and executive function. These results suggested that the EXER-TC approach has potential therapeutic use in older adults with MCI.