Effects of dual-task training with moderateintensity cycling on cognitive function and functional motor performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment

• Published in: Asian journal of gerontology and geriatrics 2024-06, Vol.19 (1), p.36-36
• Main Authors: Lu, Hsuan-Yu, Ye, Zhongping, Ti, Chun Hang Eden, Lau, Choi-Yin Cathy, Hu, Chengpeng, Shi, Xiangqian, Tong, Kai-Yu Raymond
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bicycling; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Exercise physiology; Motor ability; Older people
• ISSN: 1819-1576; 1819-1576

Background: This study investigated the effects of dualtask cycling training on cognitive function and functional motor performances in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: All participants diagnosed with MCI were recruited from the rehabilitation centres in Hong Kong during 2018 to 2020. Inclusion criteria were: (1) Hong Kong version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total scores ranging from 7th to 16th percentile stratified by age and education, (2) ability to follow instructions and perform cycling independently, (3) free of any other neuromuscular diseases that affect the motor performance, and (4) free of any cardiovascular diseases that may have a potential risk of life during cycling. In total, 19 participants were randomly allocated to the cognition (n=7), cycling (n=7), or dual-task (n=5) groups. Cycling performances in terms of elapsed time, heart rate, revolutions per minute, power output, and power ratio between left and right pedals were displayed real-time on a monitor. The cognitive therapy modules of attention, memory, executive functions, and visual field were trained. All participants were asked to perform the Graded Exercise Test to determine their upper and lower boundary of workloads for moderate-intensity cycling at pedalling rate of 50 revolutions per minute. The definition of maximum heart rate was calculated as: 208-(0.7*age), and the moderate-intensity cycling was defined as 55% to 75% of maximum heart rate. All participants received 30 sessions (four sessions weekly) of training. Baseline and post-training cognitive function and functional motor performances were assessed using the MoCA, Trail Making Tests, 5-Times Sit to Stand Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test. Paired t-tests were used to compare outcomes within groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics or baseline cognitive function and functional motor performances between the cognition (n=7), cycling (n=7), and dualtask (n=5) groups. After 30 training sessions, MoCA for cognitive function significantly improved in both the cognition and dual-task groups. Significant differences in Trail Making Tests part A and part B were found in the cognition group. For functional motor performance, both the cycling and dual-task groups showed significant improvements in 5-Times Sit to Stand Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test.