Effectiveness of Different Neurocognitive Intervention Approaches on Functionality in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Subtle loss of functionality in healthy older adults is considered one of the most important predictors of cognitive decline. Neurocognitive interventions are increasingly being used, from a preventive maintenance approach to functional capacity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different neurocognitive approaches on the functionality of healthy older adults. In this systematic review (CRD42023473944), an extensive search was conducted for articles published in the last 10 years (2013-2023) in the following databases: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 809 trials were identified, of which 18 were considered to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The data revealed heterogeneity in sample size, measures of functional assessment, neurocognitive interventions used, number of sessions, session duration, and time. Traditional cognitive stimulation is shown to have no significant functional benefit, while other less commonly used neurocognitive interventions, such as those based on everyday cognition, are associated with more significant benefits. Moreover, it is demonstrated that although the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL) is the most used test in similar studies, it is not sensitive enough to detect changes in functionality in healthy elderly individuals, with other tests such as the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) being more advantageous. Therefore, a new guideline is proposed for its use in clinical practice and research, using homogeneous study protocols and neurocognitive interventions that allow for the transfer and generalization of results in daily life.

Effect of including a dietary supplement of raisins, a food rich in polyphenols, on cognitive function in healthy older adults; a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Polyphenols have been shown to be effective against many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the consumption of raisins, being a food rich in polyphenols, has been attributed with neuroprotective benefits. Therefore, our main objective is to evaluate the effect of including 50 g of raisins in the diet daily for 6 months, on the improvement of cognitive performance, cardiovascular risk factors and markers of inflammation in a population of older adults without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Design and intervention: This study will be a randomized controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups. Each subject included in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: control group (no supplement), intervention group (50 g of raisins daily during 6 months). STUDY POPULATION: The participants will be selected by consecutive sampling in the Primary Care consultations of urban health centers in Salamanca and Zamora (Spain), taking into account the selection criteria. STUDY VARIABLES: Two visits will be made, baseline and at 6 months. Cognitive performance will be evaluated (Mini-Mental State Examination test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, verbal fluency and montreal cognitive assessment (Moca)). It will also be analyzed the level of physical activity, quality of life, activities of daily living, energy and nutritional composition of the diet, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, markers of inflammation and other laboratory tests of clinical relevance (glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides). In addition, sociodemographic data, personal and family history, medication use and alcohol and tobacco consumption will be collected. DISCUSSION: In this project, it is intended to contribute to minimize the problems derived from cognitive deterioration in older people. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04966455 Registration date: July 1, 2021.

Effects of 6-Month Multimodal Physical Exercise Program on Bone Mineral Density, Fall Risk, Balance, and Gait in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

We aimed to determine the short- and medium-term effects of a multimodal physical exercise program (MPEP) on bone health status, fall risk, balance, and gait in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A single-blinded, controlled clinical trial was performed where 72 subjects were allocated in a 3:1 ratio to an intervention group (IG; n = 53) and control group (CG; n = 19), where the IG's subjects were admitted to live in a State Reference Center of Alzheimer's disease, which offers the targeted exercise program, while the CG's subjects resided in independent living. A multidisciplinary health team assessed all patients before allocation, and dependent outcomes were again assessed at one, three, and six months. During the study, falls were recorded, and in all evaluations, bone mineral density was measured using a calcaneal quantitative ultrasound densitometer; balance and gait were measured using the performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA), the timed up and go test (TUG), the one-leg balance test (OLB), and the functional reach test (FR). There were no differences between groups at baseline for all outcome measures. The prevalence of falls was significantly lower in the IG (15.09%) than in the CG (42.11%) (χ2 = 5.904; p = 0.015). We also found that there was a significant time*group interaction, with a post hoc Sidák test finding significant differences of improved physical function, especially in gait, for the IG, as assessed by POMA-Total, POMA-Gait, and TUG with a large effect size (ƞ2p = 0.185-0.201). In balance, we found significant differences between groups, regardless of time, and a medium effect size as assessed by POMA-Balance and the OLB (ƞ2p = 0.091-0.104). Clinically relevant effects were observed, although without significant differences in bone health, with a slowing of bone loss. These results show that a multimodal physical exercise program reduces fall risk and produces an improvement in gait, balance, and bone mineral density in the short and medium term in institutionalized patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Effects of 12-week inspiratory muscle training with low resistance in patients with multiple sclerosis: A non-randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have respiratory limitations like fatigue or muscle weakness. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-intensity protocol with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to improve respiratory strength, spirometric parameters and dyspnea in patients with MS. METHODS: This study was a controlled, non-randomised, double-blind trial on 67 patients with MS distributed in 2 groups, intervention group (IG) (n = 36) and respiratory exercise group (REG) (n = 31). Over 12 weeks, 5 days/week, 15 min/day all subjects followed a respiratory training program. IG trained with IMT with low resistance (20% maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) during the first two weeks, 30% MIP after the second week). REG followed a program involving nasal breathing and maximum exhalation. Main outcome measured was inspiratory strength (MIP); secondary outcomes were maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), spirometry, dyspnea and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: After respiratory training, the intervention group improved MIP, MEP, MVV, peak expiratory flow (PEF), tidal volume (TV) and dyspnea, 51%, 36%, 21%,11%, 51% and 19% respectively (p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, p < .05, p < .05, p < .05). The control group improved MIP, MEP, MVV and PEF, 24%, 27%, 28% and 12% respectively (p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, p < .05). Improvements achieved on MIP and dyspnea were significantly higher in IG patients (p=.002, p=.046, respectively). CONCLUSION: 12-week inspiratory muscle training with low resistance was more effective than conventional respiratory exercises to improve respiratory strength, spirometric parameters and dyspnea in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Immediate effects of adding a sciatic nerve slider technique on lumbar and lower quadrant mobility in soccer players: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the immediate effect of a sciatic nerve slider technique added to sustained hamstring stretching on lumbar and lower quadrant flexibility. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled pilot study. SUBJECTS: Eight (8) healthy male soccer players (21 +/- 3 years) were randomly assigned to 2 groups. INTERVENTIONS: Group A received 5 minutes of bilateral sustained hamstring stretching. Group B additionally received 60 seconds of a sciatic nerve slider technique for each leg. OUTCOMES: Pre- and postintervention outcomes taken by an assessor blinded to the treatment allocation of the participants included metric distance on finger-to-floor, sit and reach, and the modified Schöber tests and goniometric range of each hip for the straight-leg raise and each knee for seated slump test. Baseline between-group differences were examined with an independent t test and a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with p < 0.05 and p < 0.025 analyzed effects of the interventions. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group baseline differences (p > 0.2). There was a significant effect for time on all outcomes (p < 0.01) other than the sit and reach test (p = 0.8). A significant interaction between group . time with greater improvements in group B was found for the modified Schöber test (F = 5.5; p < 0.05), left straight-leg raise (F = 6.1; p < 0.05) and slump test in either leg (left F = 28.7; p = 0.002; right F = 4.9; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adding a sciatic nerve slider technique to sustained hamstring stretching led to greater immediate increases in both lumbar and lower quadrant flexibility in young healthy soccer players as measured by four of the seven outcomes used. Study limitations and suggestions for future studies are discussed.