The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study

Authors

  • Yuanling Huang Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Haining Ou Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Weijian Zhao Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Qiang Lin Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Yajing Xue Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Rui Xia Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Zhouchun Tan Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Xiaofang Zhao Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Lifang Xiong Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Zeqin Yan Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Zubin Zheng Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
  • Junbin Wen Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.33001

Keywords:

stroke, aerobic exercise, cognitive function, working memory

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory in stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design: Randomized, double-blind controlled study.

Subjects and methods: Twenty MCI patients from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (December 2021 to February 2023), aged 34–79, 2–12 months post-stroke, were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), each with 10 participants. The EG underwent standard rehabilitation plus 40 minutes of aerobic exercise, while the CG received only standard therapy, 5 times weekly for 2 weeks. Working memory was tested using the n-back task, and overall cognitive function was measured with the MOCA and MMSE Scales before and after the intervention.

Results: The EG showed higher 3-back correctness (71.80 ± 14.53 vs 56.50 ± 13.66), MOCA scores (27.30 ± 1.57 vs 24.00 ± 3.13), and improved visuospatial/executive (4.60 ± 0.52 vs 3.30 ± 1.06) and delayed recall (4.30 ± 0.82 vs 3.00 ± 1.56) on the MOCA scale compared with the CG.

Conclusion: Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may enhance working memory, visuospatial/executive, and delayed recall functions in stroke-induced MCI patients.

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Author Biography

Haining Ou, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Rehabilitation, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

PhD

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Published

2024-07-02

How to Cite

Huang, Y., Ou, H., Zhao, W. ., Lin, Q. ., Xue, Y. ., Xia, R. ., Tan, Z., Zhao, X., Xiong, L. ., Yan, Z. ., Zheng, Z. ., & Wen, J. . (2024). The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm33001. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.33001

Issue

Vol. 56 (2024)

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Original Report

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Copyright (c) 2024 Yuanling Huang, Haining Ou, Weijian Zhao, Qiang Lin, Yajing Xue, Rui Xia, Zhouchun Tan, Xiaofang Zhao, Lifang Xiong, Zeqin Yan, Zubin Zheng, Junbin Wen

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