BACKGROUND
Although the elderly have more time and exercise opportunities compared to other age groups, they tend to be inactive and passive towards exercise, resulting in low actual exercise rates. Furthermore, simple repetitive exercise programs fail to engage the elderly to continuously exercise because these programs do not induce their interest or meet their expectations. Meanwhile, information and communication technology (ICT)-based training devices for elderly care related to dementia are being developed to enhance the cognitive functions of elder adults. For elder adults who require bicycle training devices can not only improve muscle strength and balance of lower limbs by continuously contracting and relaxing lower-limb muscles but also improve cognitive function to help prevent dementia.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based multi-cognition program on body composition and cognitive function in elder adults.
METHODS
In a randomized controlled intervention test on 20 people over the age of 60 (exercise group: n = 10; control: n = 10), the multi-cognition program was applied on the exercise group twice per week, once per day for 12 weeks, at 30 min per session, whereas the control group was advised to maintain their usual daily activities.
RESULTS
A comparison of changes in body composition and cognitive function before and after intervention exhibited statistically significant differences in skeletal muscle mass (P=.01) and modified Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale–cognitive score (P=.01) between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
It can be difficult to be engaged in a simple repetitive exercise program. Therefore, to meet the interest and expectations of elder adults, a customized ICT-based multi-cognition program, which can improve body composition and cognitive function in elder adults and is believed to be helpful in the prevention of dementia, is recommended.
CLINICALTRIAL
UMIN000042129
Technology broaden the daily life of the elderly; Examination of factors promoting use of information and communication technology
