Associations of Dual Task Exergaming with Cognitive-Motor Interference in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-Arm Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of dual task (DT) exergaming to improve volitional balance control in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Ten older adults with MCI were examined at baseline (week-0) and post-training (week-5) on volitional balance control (maximum excursion of center of gravity, MXE [%]) while performing cognitive task (auditory clock test or letter number sequencing task) and on the NIH-motor and cognitive toolboxes. DT exergaming training lasted for 12 sessions which consisted of performing explicit cognitive tasks while playing the Wii-Fit balance games. Results: From pre- to post-training, MXE improved (p<0.05); however, cognitive accuracy (cognitive task) remained the same (p>0.05). Improvement in NIH motor and cognitive toolbox tests was observed post-training (p<0.05). Conclusion: DT exergaming was associated to improvements in balance control under attention-demanding conditions in MCI. Future studies may focus on examining the efficacy of such training.