The effects of exercise-cognitive combined dual-task program on cognitive function and depression in elderly with mild cognitive impairment

Purpose: This study was to develop and verify the effects of the exercise-cognitive combined dual-task training program on cognitive function and depression of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants were assigned into two groups: an experimental group receiving an exercise-cognitive combined dual-task (n=20) and a control group receiving a simple-task (n=18). After 8 weeks of intervention (2 days per week), the change in depression and cognitive functions were compared between the groups. Results: General cognitive function (t=-2.81, p=.011), frontal cognitive function (Z=-3.50, p <.001), attention/working memory function (U=-2.91, p=.004), depression (t=4.96, p <.001) of the experimental group were significantly increased than those of the control group. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that an exercise-cognitive combined dual-task program for MCI was effective in improving general cognitive function, frontal and executive function, attention/working memory function, and reducing depression.