Peer-supported exercise intervention for persons with mild cognitive impairment: a waitlist randomised controlled trial (the BRAin Vitality Enhancement trial)

Abstract

Abstract Background motivating older people with cognitive impairment to remain physically active is challenging. Objective this study aimed to examine the effects of a peer-supported exercise intervention on the cognitive function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Setting and participants community-dwelling persons with MCI were recruited from community centres for older adults in Hong Kong. Methods participants randomised to the intervention group received an 8-week group-based peer-supported multicomponent exercise intervention, while the waitlist control group received usual care. A battery of neuropsychological tests and the Short Form-36 were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention and 3 months post-intervention. Results two hundred and twenty-nine participants were randomised to the intervention (n = 116) or control (n = 113) group. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in processing speed and attention measured by the Colour Trails Test 1 (β = 7.213, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.870–11.557, P = 0.001) and working memory measured by the Digit Span Backward Test (β = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.199–0.881, P = 0.002) immediately post-intervention. The effects were sustained at 3 months post-intervention. Similarly, significantly greater improvements in sequencing and mental flexibility measured by the Colour Trails Test 2 were observed in the intervention group 3 months post-intervention (β = 6.979, 95% CI = 3.375–10.584, P < 0.001). Changes in global cognition, short-term memory and HRQoL were not significant. Conclusion the peer-supported exercise intervention was effective at sustaining improvements in executive function, attention and working memory in persons with MCI.