Effect of Exergame Training on Working Memory and Executive Function in Older Adults

作者：Chenxi Zhao, Chenglei Zhao, Minmin Zhao, Lin Wang, Jiawei Guo, Longhai Zhang, Yunfeng Li, Yuliang Sun, Ling Zhang, Zheng’ao Li, Wenfei Zhu · 发表于：Sustainability · 年份：2022 · DOI：10.3390/su141710631 · 被引用次数：28 · 研究领域：Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research、Frailty in Older Adults、Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

Background: As the population ages, cognitive impairment and dementia have become one of the greatest health threats in older adults. Prior studies suggest that exergaming could improve cognitive function in older adults. To date, few long-term exergames intervention studies on older adults during the COVID-19 epidemic exist. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exergame on cognitive function in Chinese older adults, and to examine whether exergame was more effective than aerobic dancing for executive function and working memory. Methods: 55 participants (mean age = 65.4 ± 3.7 years) were randomly assigned to an exergame training (ET) group, an aerobic dancing training (ADT) group, or a control (CON) group. The ET and ADT groups received 36 sessions (three 75-min training sessions per week, exercise intensity = 65 to 75% HRmax) during a 12-week period. The outcome measures for cognitive function included working memory measured by the N-back test, and executive function measured by the Stroop test. Results: The ET group showed a significantly positive effect in working memory, relative to the ADT (accuracy in 1-back test: ES = 0.76, p < 0.01), and CON group (accuracy in 1-back test: ES = 0.87, p = 0.02). Moreover, the performance in the Stroop test showed some improvements in executive function after intervention in the ET and ADT groups (Stroop intervention effect: ES = 0.38; p = 0.25). Conclusions: Exergame had a positive benefit in improving cognitive function...