Tai Chi enhances cognitive training effects on delaying cognitive decline in ...

chenyaoxin

Abstract
Introduction: Cognitive training and physical exercise have shown positive effects ondelaying progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.
Methods: We explored the enhancing effect from Tai Chi when it was provided withcognitive training for MCI. In the first 12 months, the cognitive training group (CT) hadcognitive training, and the mixed group (MixT) had additional Tai Chi training. In thesecond 12 months, training was only provided for a subgroup of MixT.
Results: In the first 12 months, MixT and CT groups were benefited from training. Com-pared to the CT group, MixT had additional positive effects with reference to base-line. In addition, Compared to short-time training, prolonged mixed training furtherdelayed decline in global cognition and memory. Functional magnetic resonance imag-ing showed more increased regional activity in both CT and MixT.
Discussion: Tai Chi enhanced cognitive training effects in MCI. Moreover, Tai Chi andcognitive mixed training showed effects on delaying cognitive decline.