Table 3_Effectiveness of an exercise and nutrition intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: an open-label double-arm clinical trial.docx

BackgroundWe examined the efficacy of physical exercise with nutritional lectures in preventing cognitive decline among older adults.
MethodsThis study included individuals aged ≥65 years who had no dementia. The intervention group underwent a physical exercise training program once a week and attended nutritional lectures once a month for 5 months. Baseline and 12-month cognitive assessments using the MCI Screen (MCIS) to measure memory performance were completed by individuals in the intervention (n = 76) and nonparticipant (n = 36) groups. The primary endpoint was changes in the memory performance index (MPI) scores of the MCIS.
ResultsThe MPI score significantly increased by 1.8 in the intervention group and significantly decreased by 1.2 in the nonparticipant groups (p = 0.049).
DiscussionMemory declines gradually overtime as a normal process of aging. Therefore, the decline of MPI score in the nonparticipant group is a natural change, however interestingly, the MPI scores improved in the intervention group, suggesting that the physical exercise with nutritional lectures may prevent memory function. Our results also suggest that through physical exercises and nutritional lectures, older adults might have developed exercise habits that increased their muscle weight which might have improved their cognitive function. A 5-month intervention of our physical exercise training program with nutritional lectures for older adults without dementia can improve their memory performance, especially individuals with 60s and 70s and with mild cognitive impairment.

研究背景：本研究探讨了结合营养讲座的体育锻炼在预防老年群体认知衰退方面的有效性。
研究方法：本研究纳入了65岁及以上无痴呆症的受试者。干预组每周接受1次体育锻炼训练，并每月参加1次营养讲座，干预周期共5个月。干预组（n=76）与非参与组（n=36）的受试者分别于基线及干预后12个月时，采用轻度认知障碍筛查量表（MCI Screen, MCIS）完成针对记忆性能的认知评估。本研究的主要终点为MCIS中记忆性能指数（Memory Performance Index, MPI）的评分变化。
研究结果：干预组的MPI评分较基线显著升高1.8分，而非参与组的MPI评分则显著下降1.2分（p=0.049）。
讨论：随着年龄增长，记忆功能逐渐衰退属于正常的生理老化过程。因此，非参与组的MPI评分下降属于自然的年龄相关变化；但有趣的是，干预组的MPI评分反而有所提升，这提示结合营养讲座的体育锻炼或可起到预防记忆功能衰退的作用。本研究结果还表明，通过本次为期5个月的体育锻炼与营养讲座干预，老年受试者或已养成规律锻炼的习惯，进而增加了肌肉量，这可能对认知功能产生了积极改善效果。综上，针对无痴呆症的老年群体开展结合营养讲座的体育锻炼干预方案，可有效改善其记忆性能，尤其适用于60至70岁年龄段及存在轻度认知障碍（mild cognitive impairment）的人群。