Effects of 12‐week combined cognitive training and physical activity intervention on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes of Brazilian older adults: Prevention (nonpharmacological) / Multidomain.

Background: Cognitive training and physical activity provide mental, social and physical stimulation that may reduce dementia risk. However, there is limited evidence on the benefits of interventions to increase cognitive engagement among healthy elderly. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined cognitive training and physical activity on cognitive function and psychosocial well‐being among healthy middle‐aged and older adults. Method: 114 adults with age between 50 to 80 years, recruited by advertisements in the local media, were randomized into four intervention arms: 1) cognitive training + physical activity, 2) cognitive training only, 3) physical activity only, or 4) no‐intervention control group. The interventions had 12 weeks of duration with 90 minutes of cognitive training (groups 1 and 2), and 180 minutes of physical activity (groups 1 and 3) per week. Participants were assessed for cognitive performance (MoCA), social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, at baseline and follow‐up. Data were analyzed through Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape ‐ GAMLSS, controlling for age, sex and years of schooling. Result: Most of the subjects were female, mean age of 64.5 years (SD=7.0), and average schooling of 12.1 years (SD=3.7). After 12 weeks we conclude the follow‐up with 88 participants. Following the intervention, MoCA increased in all groups (Coef=.98, 95%CI=.00;1.95, p<.01). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for MoCA (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.94, 1x4 p=.92, 2x3 p=.97, 2x4 p=.95, 3x4 p=.99). Subjects from group 1 and 2 increased the number of people to provide social support comparing to the control group (Coef=.27, 95%CI=.00;.54, p=.04/ Coef=.27, 95%CI=.00;.55, p=.03). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for social support (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.53, 1x4 p=.20, 2x3 p=.50, 2x4 p=.18, 3x4 p=.88). Depression and anxiety symptoms did not show effects or interactions (p=.73/ p=.68). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for depression and anxiety (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.94, 1x4 p=.92, 2x3 p=.97, 2x4 p=.95, 3x4 p=.99/ 1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.76, 1x4 p=.74, 2x3 p=.78, 2x4 p=.76, 3x4 p=.99). Conclusion: Social support showed positive results for combined interventions and cognitive training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]