Does cognitive training improve mobility, enhance cognition, and promote neural activation?

Uroš Marušič (Author), Joe Verghese (Author), Jeannette R. Mahoney (Author)

Abstract

A close inter-relationship between mobility and cognition is reported in older adults, with improvements in gait performance noticeable after cognitive remediation in frail individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of computerized cognitive training (CCT) on mobility in healthy, independently living older adults, and to determine whether CCT is associated with changes in neural activation for mobility-related brain processes. Using a randomized single-blind control design, sixty-three non-demented adults age 60 y and older (mean age = 67 y; 76% female, mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score = 27) were recruited from a local Senior Activity Center. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 2-month CCT program (8 weeks, 3x/week, 40 min/session) or a wait-list control group. Primary outcome was self-selected gait speed during single- and dual-task walking. Secondary outcome was executive function on Trail Making Test (TMT), Part B. Neural activity was assessed via electroencephalography/event-related potentials (EEG/ERPs) targeting lower-limb performance. Results from a linear mixed effect model, adjusted for baseline MoCA score, age, gender, and study completion revealed that compared to controls, CCT improved gait speed during the dual-task (p = 0.008) but not during the single-task walking condition (p = 0.057). CCT also improved executive function (p = 0.024). Further, shorter foot reaction time responses (p = 0.019) were found with enhanced neural activation over sensorimotor areas, with shorter ERP latencies during the P2 component (p = 0.008) and enhanced motor responses (p = 0.009) also evident in the CCT group after the intervention. Overall, the electrophysiological findings suggest possible neural adaptations that could explain improvements in mobility and executive functions associated with CCT in healthy older adults.

Keywords

vidni evocirani potenciali;motorični potenciali;izvršilni nadzor;kognitivno-motorične možganske mreže;zdravo staranje;senzomotorična integracija;funkcionalna mobilnost;visual evoked potentials;motor-related cortical potentials;executive control;cognitive-motor brain networks;healthy aging;sensorimotor integration;functional mobility;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2022
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UP - University of Primorska
UDC:	796.012.23:159.955
COBISS:	109008899
ISSN:	1663-4365
Views:	149
Downloads:	132
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary keywords:	vidni evocirani potenciali;motorični potenciali;izvršilni nadzor;kognitivno-motorične možganske mreže;zdravo staranje;senzomotorična integracija;funkcionalna mobilnost;
Source comment:	Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Opis vira z dne 24. 5. 2022;
Pages:	str. 1-13
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ14
Issue:	ǂart. ǂ845825
Chronology:	May 2022
DOI:	10.3389/fnagi.2022.845825
ID:	15406901