Background: Aerobic exercise and Cognitive Training (ACT) may produce synergistic cognitive effects due to different mechanisms of action. However, existing studies of ACT are limited with mixed findings. Methods: The ACT Trial pilot tested the efficacy of a 6-month ACT (cycling and speed of processing [SOP]) cognitive training on executive function and episodic memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It used a 2x2 factorial design and randomized participants to ACT, cycling only, SOP only, and control on an equal allocation ratio. Executive function and episodic memory were measured with EXAMINER and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months by trained data collectors who were blinded to group allocation. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze data following intention-to-treat in R. Results: The sample (n=146) included 48% women and averaged 73.7±5.73 years old with 16.9±2.88 years of education and 23.5±2.16 Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Executive function improved significantly from baseline to 6 months in all groups (adjusted p-values 0.001 – 0.020). Between-group differences in change were not significant for executive function (Ps = 0.986) and delayed recall (Ps = 0.508 – 0.941). The COVID-19 pandemic affected intervention delivery (only 48.6% of the participants receiving in-person intervention as designed), which reduced the power for detecting between-group effects. Conclusion: ACT’s synergistic effects on cognition cannot be determined due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cycling only showed the most consistent effects on cognition.

Authors:
Fang Yu, Arizona State University, United States
Michael Todd, Arizona State University, United States
Dereck Salisbury, University of Minnesota, United States
Vankee Lin, Stanford University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Yu is a leader in developing and testing behavioral and lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise) to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) in older adults, including those living alone.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/asufangyu/

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