The Effects of Single Baduanjin and Elastic Band Exercises on VSWM in Elderly Individuals With MCI

The Effects of Single Baduanjin and Elastic Band Exercises on Visuospatial Working Memory in Elderly Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Previous studies have confirmed that both acute (single) and long-term various exercise interventions can significantly improve the cognitive function of individuals with MCI. The positive effects of long-term Qigong and elastic band exercises have also been verified. There are relatively few studies on the impact of Qigong and elastic band exercises on working memory. Most studies focusing on working memory mainly target children and college students. The effect of these exercises on the elderly has not been proven, and the improvement mechanism has not been clarified either. This article mainly starts from a single exercise perspective to explore whether a single exercise can improve the VSWM of elderly individuals with MCI. From the perspective of neurophysiology, it also discusses the brain mechanism of single Qigong and elastic band exercises on the working memory of cognitively impaired elderly people, providing reference for future long-term exercise prescriptions for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease in China.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Include the elderly population aged between 60 and 74 years old.

- Includes individuals with cognitive impairments. The patients or informants report experiencing memory decline and having certain cognitive dysfunction (MoCA score = 18-25 points).

- Including individuals who have controlled diabetes and/or cardiovascular diseases to a stable state.

- Irregular exercise with the ability to complete a certain amount of physical activities.

- Normal vision and hearing.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with moderate to severe cognitive impairment, mental illness or other neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's dementia, stroke, frontotemporal degeneration, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, etc.).

- Long-term or recent use of psychotropic drugs, drugs that affect physical activity ability, cholinergic inhibitors, etc.

- Regular exercise habit .

- There are serious muscle disorders, or there has been an injury to the lower limbs within the previous six months, making it impossible to stand for a long time or to stand at all.

- Severe cardiovascular disease.