Mohd Zahidin, Zurratul Aina and Abd Rashid, Norlinda and Shalihin, Mohd Shaiful Ehsan and Mohamad Shariff, Nurasikin and Mustapa Kamal Basha, Muzaitul Akma (2025) The effects of home-based physical exercise and cognitive training to reduce the risk of dementia among elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21 (SUPP 6). pp. 96-102. ISSN 1675-8544 E-ISSN 2636-9346
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Abstract
Introduction: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) signifies the transitional stage between healthy aging and dementia. While prior studies have showcased the effectiveness of physical exercise and cognitive training in enhancing cognitive performance among older adults with MCI, issues like lack of transportation have emphasised the need for remote interventions, particularly in rural areas. This study aims to investigate whether a home-based approach involving physical exercise and cognitive training can improve cognitive performance in older adults with MCI. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 participants were assigned to either the experimental group (n = 43) receiving home-based physical exercise and cognitive training or the control group (n = 44) with no intervention. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Cog test, which was measured at baseline, week 4, and week 12 post-intervention. The generalised estimating equation test was performed to analyse the intervention’s impact. Results: This study found a significant difference in memory test scores between both groups at week 12 post-intervention, whereby the experimental group showed better results (RR = 2.322, 95%; CI: 1.057–5.101; p = 0.036). The experimental group also had better improvement in clock drawing test scores compared to the control group (RR = 2.360, 95%; CI: 1.037–5.372; p = 0.041). Conclusion: The proposed home-based intervention which combined physical exercise and cognitive training positively impacted cognitive performance in older adults with MCI. This approach can be applied in home settings and may help in mitigating dementia progression, particularly among older adults with limited access to healthcare or training centres.
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