Reshma Aziz Merchant1, Yiong Huak Chan2, Richard Jor Yeong Hui3, Chris Tung Tsoi4, Sing Cheer Kwek3, Weng Mooi Tan5, Jia Yi Lim6, Surein Sandrasageran7, Beatrix Ling Ling Wong7, Matthew Zhixuan Chen7, Shu Ee Ng7, John E Morley8. 1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: reshmaa@nuhs.edu.sg. 2. Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 3. National University Polyclinics, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore. 4. Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore. 5. Integrated Health Division, MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation, Singapore. 6. Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 7. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore. 8. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cognitive frailty (CF) is associated with dementia and disability. It was initially proposed in 2013 by the International Institute of Nutrition and Aging and the International Geriatrics Association. Over the years, there have been many emerging definitions e.g., Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR), Physio-cognitive Decline Syndrome (PCDS), reversible CF and potentially reversible CF. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the demographics including physical, functional, and psychosocial factors for the four CF definitions amongst community-dwelling older adults. In addition, the effect of dual-task exercise on the reversibility of different definitions of CF was also studied. METHODS: Participants were community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years recruited between August 2017 and December 2019. Older adults screened to be frail, prefrail or have cognitive impairment were invited to participate in dual-task exercise program called HAPPY (Healthy Ageing Promotion Program for You). Improvement in cognition, frailty, and physical performance after a 3-month dual-task exercise intervention program was compared with controls. RESULTS: The prevalence of CF depending on definition ranged from 8.8% to 28.7% with minimal overlap. The cognitive scores were significantly lower in all the groups predominantly affecting non-memory domains except for reversible CF. Frailty was three to seven times more prevalent in CF. MCR group had higher prevalence of functional limitation, pain and depression. All four groups had significant increase in global cognition scores especially in the attention domain where the control group declined, and reduction in the prevalence of frailty post intervention. MCR and reversible CF were significantly associated with increased odds of cognitive improvement after 3 months of intervention compared with control. CONCLUSION: CF is a novel concept and regardless of the definitions, is a target for reversing frailty, functional limitation and cognitive impairment through dual-task exercise. Long-term prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of dual-task interventions in delaying the conversion to dementia and reduction of disability.
INTRODUCTION:Cognitive frailty (CF) is associated with dementia and disability. It was initially proposed in 2013 by the International Institute of Nutrition and Aging and the International Geriatrics Association. Over the years, there have been many emerging definitions e.g., Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR), Physio-cognitive Decline Syndrome (PCDS), reversible CF and potentially reversible CF. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the demographics including physical, functional, and psychosocial factors for the four CF definitions amongst community-dwelling older adults. In addition, the effect of dual-task exercise on the reversibility of different definitions of CF was also studied. METHODS:Participants were community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years recruited between August 2017 and December 2019. Older adults screened to be frail, prefrail or have cognitive impairment were invited to participate in dual-task exercise program called HAPPY (Healthy Ageing Promotion Program for You). Improvement in cognition, frailty, and physical performance after a 3-month dual-task exercise intervention program was compared with controls. RESULTS: The prevalence of CF depending on definition ranged from 8.8% to 28.7% with minimal overlap. The cognitive scores were significantly lower in all the groups predominantly affecting non-memory domains except for reversible CF. Frailty was three to seven times more prevalent in CF. MCR group had higher prevalence of functional limitation, pain and depression. All four groups had significant increase in global cognition scores especially in the attention domain where the control group declined, and reduction in the prevalence of frailty post intervention. MCR and reversible CF were significantly associated with increased odds of cognitive improvement after 3 months of intervention compared with control. CONCLUSION: CF is a novel concept and regardless of the definitions, is a target for reversing frailty, functional limitation and cognitive impairment through dual-task exercise. Long-term prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of dual-task interventions in delaying the conversion to dementia and reduction of disability.