Multidimensional Effects of Mind-Body Exercise on Cognitive Function, Physical Function, and Body Composition in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.
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Abstract
Objective: Cognitive decline is a common concern in aging populations, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often precedes dementia. Mind-body exercise (e.g., tai chi and baduanjin) combines mental focus and physical movement, potentially improving both cognitive and physical function. This study aimed to evaluate whether a 12-week mind-body exercise intervention could enhance cognitive function, physical function, and body composition in older adults with MCI.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) in Nanjing, China. Participants were assigned to either a mind-body exercise group (tai chi and baduanjin, three sessions/week, 60 min/session) or a control group (standard health education and light stretching). Cognitive outcomes included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, memory, and executive function. Physical function was assessed via the 30-s chair stand, 30-s arm curl, 2.44-m up and go, and single-leg stand, and body composition measures encompassed waist and hip circumference, body fat percentage, and body mass index.
Results: After 12 weeks, the mind-body exercise group showed significantly greater improvements in Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (Δ = 2.04, p < .01), memory (Δ = 0.72 points), and executive function (Δ = 0.37 points) compared with the control group. Participants also improved physical function, evidenced by increased repetition counts in the 30-s chair stand (Δ = 5.93) and arm curl tests (Δ = 5.17) and reduced up-and-go times (Δ = -0.73 s). Although modest reductions in waist and hip circumference were observed, there were no statistically significant group differences in body mass index or overall body fat percentage.
Conclusion: A 12-week mind-body exercise program (tai chi and baduanjin) significantly enhances cognitive and physical function in older adults with MCI. These findings suggest that integrating mind-body exercises may be beneficial as a nonpharmacological intervention to address cognitive decline.
Implications: The observed improvements in cognition and physical performance highlight the potential for mind-body exercises to serve as a practical, low-cost strategy for delaying or mitigating MCI-related declines in aging populations. Incorporating such interventions into community-based programs or clinical recommendations could promote healthy aging and reduce the burden of cognitive impairment on health care systems.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (JAPA) is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes peer-reviewed original research reports, scholarly reviews, and professional-application articles on the relationship between physical activity and the aging process. The journal encourages the submission of articles that can contribute to an understanding of (a) the impact of physical activity on physiological, psychological, and social aspects of older adults and (b) the effect of advancing age or the aging process on physical activity among older adults.
In addition to publishing research reports and reviews, JAPA publishes articles that examine the development, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity programs among older adults. Articles from the biological, behavioral, and social sciences, as well as from fields such as medicine, clinical psychology, physical and recreational therapy, health, physical education, and recreation, are appropriate for the journal. Studies using animal models do not fit within our mission statement and should be submitted elsewhere.
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