Ting-Ting Yeh1, Ku-Chou Chang2, Ching-Yi Wu3. 1. Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore. 2. Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Discharge Planning Service Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Senior Citizen Service Management, Yuh-Ing Junior College, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: cywu@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognitive function and other health-related outcomes in stroke survivors with cognitive decline. DESIGN: Intervention study and randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital-based rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Survivors of stroke with cognitive decline (N=30) were randomized to sequential combination training (SEQ) (n=15) or an active control (n=15) group. INTERVENTIONS: The SEQ group received 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, followed by 30 minutes of computerized cognitive training. The control group received 30 minutes of nonaerobic physical exercise, followed by 30 minutes of unstructured mental activities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was cognitive function. Secondary outcome measures included physical function, social participation, and quality of life. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the SEQ group had significantly improved Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (P=.03) and Wechsler Memory Scale span scores (P=.012) after training. The endurance and mobility level measured by the 6-minute walk test (P=.25) was also enhanced in the SEQ group relative to the control group. However, the transfer of sequential training to social participation (Community Integration Questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQoL questionnaire) was limited (P>.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS:Aerobic exercise combined with computerized cognitive training has better effects on the cognitive functional status of survivors of stroke than an active control. The cognitive functional status of stroke survivors was better after participation in aerobic exercise combined with computerized training than after active control therapy, demonstrating the clinical significance of this combination therapy.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognitive function and other health-related outcomes in stroke survivors with cognitive decline. DESIGN: Intervention study and randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital-based rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Survivors of stroke with cognitive decline (N=30) were randomized to sequential combination training (SEQ) (n=15) or an active control (n=15) group. INTERVENTIONS: The SEQ group received 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, followed by 30 minutes of computerized cognitive training. The control group received 30 minutes of nonaerobic physical exercise, followed by 30 minutes of unstructured mental activities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was cognitive function. Secondary outcome measures included physical function, social participation, and quality of life. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the SEQ group had significantly improved Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (P=.03) and Wechsler Memory Scale span scores (P=.012) after training. The endurance and mobility level measured by the 6-minute walk test (P=.25) was also enhanced in the SEQ group relative to the control group. However, the transfer of sequential training to social participation (Community Integration Questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQoL questionnaire) was limited (P>.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise combined with computerized cognitive training has better effects on the cognitive functional status of survivors of stroke than an active control. The cognitive functional status of stroke survivors was better after participation in aerobic exercise combined with computerized training than after active control therapy, demonstrating the clinical significance of this combination therapy.
Authors: Susan Marzolini; Che-Yuan Wu; Rowaida Hussein; Lisa Y Xiong; Suban Kangatharan; Ardit Peni; Christopher R Cooper; Kylie S K Lau; Ghislaine Nzodjou Makhdoom; Maureen Pakosh; Stephanie A Zaban; Michelle M Nguyen; Mohammad Amin Banihashemi; Walter Swardfager Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 6.106