Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jun 1, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: May 31, 2022 - Jul 26, 2022
Date Accepted: Oct 25, 2022
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
The effects Exergame on the executive function and physical function in older adults with dementia: Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Despite increasing interest in the effects of exergame on cognitive function, little is known about its effects on older adults with dementia.
Objective:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of exergame in comparison to regular aerobic exercise on executive function and physical function in older adults with dementia.
Methods:
Twenty-four older adults with moderate dementia (80 ± 4.7 years old) participated in the study. Participants were randomized into either exergame group (EXG, n=13) or aerobic exercise group (AEG, n=11). The interventions lasted for 12 weeks and the Ericksen Flanker task was administered to assess executive function. The Flanker task performance accuracy (%) and response time (RT) and event-related potential (N2 and P3b) during the task were measured. Physical function was assessed using senior fitness test (SFT) before and after the intervention.
Results:
EXG, compared to AEG, demonstrated greater improvements in the SFT. While there was a significantly shorter RT in EXG after intervention, no changes occurred in AEG. EXG showed significantly increased N2 amplitude after intervention compared to baseline, but there were no significant changes in AEG. EXG also yielded a shorter N2 latency for Cz cortices during both congruent and incongruent conditions compared to the AEG. Lastly, EXG presented significantly increased congruent/incongruent P3b amplitude and no changes were observed in AEG.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that exergame may be associated with greater improvements in brain neuronal activity and enhanced executive function task performance than regular aerobic exercise. Exergame characterized by both aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation can be employed as an effective intervention to improve cognitive and physical function in older adults with dementia.
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