Tai Chi versus conventional exercise to improve cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): A comparative randomized controlled trial

Professor Siu, Ming Fai Parco   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Professor Hui Stanley   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Chan Derwin King Chung   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Cheng Pak Wing Calvin   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Fong Daniel Yee Tak   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Irwin Michael   (Co-Investigator)

48

2022-01-22

1500000

Tai Chi versus conventional exercise to improve cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): A comparative randomized controlled trial

Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Exercise training, Mild cognitive impairment, Mind-body exercise, Tai Chi

Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health

18191551

Health and Medical Research Fund - Full Grant

2020

On-going

OBJECTIVES: Dementia is a devastating neurodegenerative illness among seniors. Regular exercise is recommended for improving cognitive health in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is the border zone between normal aging and dementia. Our pilot data demonstrated that both conventional exercise and Tai Chi could improve cognitive performance, but the effects of Tai Chi were superior. Nonetheless, the comparative effectiveness of Tai Chi versus conventional exercise on increasing cognitive function in MCI sufferers has not been fully investigated. This proposed project aims to substantiate the superior cognitive benefits of Tai Chi over conventional exercise in older adults with MCI. HYPOTHESIS-TO-BE-TESTED: We will test the hypotheses that 1) cognitive performance would be significantly increased in older MCI sufferers after receiving 6 months of Tai Chi or conventional exercise intervention when compared with the attention control group and 2) the improvement extent of cognitive performance in the Tai Chi group would be significantly greater than that in the conventional exercise group. DESIGN-AND-SUBJECTS: This is a three-arm single-blind randomized controlled trial recruiting Chinese older adults aged 50 years or above with MCI. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and the 6-month follow-up post-intervention. INSTRUMENTS: Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). INTERVENTIONS: 6-month program of Tai Chi, conventional exercise, or health education. MAIN-OUTCOME-MEASURES: Global cognitive performance. DATA-ANALYSIS: Generalized estimating equations and linear contrasts. EXPECTED-RESULTS: Our findings are expected to inform the noticeable therapeutic value of Tai Chi and refine the physical activity recommendation for older adults with cognitive impairment.