Authors (including presenting author) :
LO CWC(1), Chan YP(1), Chan YL(1), Tam KF(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital
(2) Department of Medicine, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital
Introduction :
In recent years, prevalence of prodromal dementia has increased in older adults, exacerbating the potential impact on global physical and mental health. Cognitive-motor training is an emerging treatment modality with proven benefits in enhancing both physical and cognitive functions. In recent research findings, training of musical rhythmic skills with auditory-motor synchronization is beneficial to reactivate the brain's sensorimotor and perceptual regions so as to improve cognition. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of combining the cognitive-motor and rhythmic training.
Objectives :
This pilot study aims to design and develop a program on cognitive-motor rhythmic training, and to investigate whether the program would improve the executive functions (EF) and upper limb motor functions of older adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD).
Methodology :
Thirty older adults with SCD were recruited from the Occupational Therapy Department of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital. They were randomized into two groups: (i) an intervention group receiving a 6-week training program and (ii) a waitlist control group. The program was designed with reference to the rhythm action game “Taiko no Tatsujin”, in which precise timed motor responses were required to hit the circular cues against the target zone. The game was designed using the OSU!Taiko software, providing progression of difficulty levels and instant feedback. Classical Cantopop songs that were familiar to Hong Kong older adults were selected. EF components including mental flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory, visuospatial memory, verbal fluency and problem-solving were assessed using domain-specific cognitive tests, while hand dexterity was measured by the Purdue Pegboard Test. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine the within group difference and the difference between groups. The level of significance was set at P< 0.05.
Result & Outcome :
The participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in Color Trail Test (p=0.008), Color and Word Stroop Test (p=0.008), Digit Span Test-Backward (p=0.011), Corsi Block-Tapping Test-Backward (p=0.011), Verbal Fluency Test (p=0.012), Maze Test (p=0.008) and the Purdue Pegboard scores (p=0.007) after the training.
The 6-week cognitive-motor rhythmic training program is proven to be effective in improving the executive functions and motor performance in older adults with SCD. This innovative program can serve as an alternative intervention for cognitive rehabilitation in early stages of cognitive decline.
