Objectives Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is prevalent among older adults and may progress to dementia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a game-based brain exercise program in reducing MCI among older adults.
Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 2 groups of older participants in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. A total of 96 individuals with Thai mental state examination (TMSE) scores between 12 to 23, indicating MCI but no dementia diagnosis, were recruited. Using multi-stage sampling, participants were divided into an intervention group (n=48) and a control group (n=48). The intervention group participated in a 6-week game-based brain exercise program, while the control group received a self-administered brain exercise manual. Face-to-face interviews assessed outcomes at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results Significant differences were observed in mean TMSE scores and MCI knowledge between the intervention and control groups at the 3-month follow-up (p<0.001). The intervention group showed significant increases in TMSE scores and MCI knowledge post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up (p<0.001).
Conclusion The findings suggest that a game-based brain exercise program can improve cognitive function in older adults. Healthcare professionals can implement such programs to reduce MCI by addressing planning, management, and related issues in the future.
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The Effect of Combined Physical Activity and Cognitive Training on Quality of Life in Older Adults Marwa Sobhy Abd EL Naby Amer, Eman Shokry Abd Allah, Samia Farouk Mahmoud Cuestiones de Fisioterapia.2024; 53(02): 3997. CrossRef
Objectives This study investigated the impacts of exercise on irisin and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) expression, as well as triiodothyronine (T3 ) and free fatty acid (FFA) levels in elderly women. Methods: Thirty women aged 65 to 70 years (10 per group) were randomly assigned to aquatic exercise, land exercise, and control groups. The aquatic and land groups engaged in 3 exercise sessions per week (60 min/session) for 16 weeks. The intensity was progressively increased every 4 weeks. Results: Irisin and FGF-21 levels significantly increased in the aquatic exercise group. In the posttest, the aquatic exercise group had the highest irisin levels. Significant findings were observed for irisin and FGF-21 for the main effect between aquatic and band exercise groups (p<0.05 for both), the main effect between measurement times (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively), and the interaction effect (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The irisin level was significantly higher in the aquatic than in the land group 30 minutes after the last session (p<0.05). In both exercise groups, T3 levels were significantly higher 30 minutes after the final session (p<0.05) than before the program. The FFA level was significantly higher in the aquatic exercise group than the others. In the aquatic group, FFA levels were significantly higher 30 minutes after both the first (p<0.01) and the last (p<0.001) session compared to pre-program values. Conclusion: Differences in exercise type and environment can promote fat metabolism by stimulating hormonal changes that induce brown fat activity and browning.
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<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>The main purpose of this study was to identify the effects of physical therapy modalities and exercise therapy on myofascial pain syndrome by assessing the degree of effect size (ES) and related variables.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>Related studies published between 1<sup>st</sup> January 2008 and 31<sup>st</sup> December 2019were retrieved from national [KCI, RISS, National Assembly Library and DBpia (<italic>n</italic> = 405)] and international [PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane library (<italic>n</italic> = 1,600)] databases. According to the selection criteria, 25 studies were selected for review.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>The degree of ES in the physical therapy and exercise therapy combined group (1.83) showed the largest mean ES. The size of the effect according to the number of people to be treated was 41 or more (1.64), and showed the largest mean ES. The size of the effect according to treatment period was 16 to 30 days (1.41). The size of the effect for 6 to 10 treatments (1.51) showed the largest mean ES. Trim and fill results showed that the calibration ES was 0.67.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>Physical therapy modalities and exercise therapy had a great effect on myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulders, and the effect differed according to the methods of intervention, and the methods of evaluation.</p></sec>
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