The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an 8-week cognitive dual-task program combined with aerobic exercise on the cognitive function test index, geriatric depression test index, physical strength related to walking ability, and improvement of gut microbiome in elderly people over 65 years of age with mild cognitive impairment. It was conducted to determine whether it has an impact, and the following conclusions were obtained through the results of this study. According to random allocation, they were divided into 3 groups CTE (cognitive training and aerobic exercise group) of 8, CTO (cognition training group) of 8 and CON (control group) of 8. The cognitive and aerobic exercise group progressed for a total of 60 minutes, with 40 minutes of a cognitive single-task program and 20 minutes of an aerobic exercise walking program, while the cognitive training group proceeded with a 40-minute single cognitive task program to determine the difference between dual-task and single-task. The effects were compared and analyzed.
1) Changes in cognitive function test index following the application of a cognitive dual task program combined with aerobic exercise
Among the cognitive function items, there was a statistically significant difference between groups, between periods, and between groups and periods in memory/delayed recall. There was no significant difference in the control group when looking at the pre- and post-change for 8 weeks, but cognitive training showed a significant difference in the memory/delayed recall index between the CTO (cognitive training group) and CTE (cognitive training and aerobic exercise group) dual task.
2) Changes in geriatric depression test index following the application of a cognitive dual task program combined with aerobic exercise
There were no statistically significant differences in the geriatric depression test index between groups, between periods, and between groups and periods. Therefore, there was no significant difference in the application of dual cognitive and aerobic exercise tasks for 8 weeks to elderly people with mild cognitive impairment.
3) Changes in physical fitness related to walking ability following the application of a cognitive dual task program combined with aerobic exercise
There was a statistically significant difference between groups in physical fitness related to walking ability, and when looking at the pre- and post-changes for 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the CTO (cognitive training group) and the CON (control group). However, in the CTE (cognitive training and aerobic exercise group) dual task, a significant difference was found in physical strength for standing on one leg.
4) Changes in gut microbiome following the application of a cognitive dual task program combined with aerobic exercise
There was a statistically significant difference in gut microbiome between groups and between groups and measurement periods. When looking at the pre- and post-changes for 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the CTO (cognitive training group) and the CON (control group). However, in the CTE (cognitive training and aerobic exercise group), there was a significant difference in that the gut microbiome of Limosilactobacillus fermentum increased, and the gut microbiome of Gemmiger formicilis decreased.
In summary, elderly people with mild cognitive impairment showed improvement in the memory/delayed recall index among cognitive function items in terms of behavioral and psychological symptoms through a cognitive dual task program combined with aerobic exercise but did not show an effect in the geriatric depression index. However, in terms of physical strength related to walking ability, there was an improvement in physical strength when standing on one leg, and in terms of gut microbiome, there was a significant increase and decrease in gut microbiome that improved cognitive function, suggesting the dual task of additional intervention with aerobic exercise rather than cognitive training alone. It is believed that applying the program had a more positive effect on elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. It can be concluded that among various intervention methods for behavioral and psychological symptoms, gait, and gut microbiome in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, an aerobic walking exercise program that can be easily performed in daily life is more effective in preventing and improving cognitive function decline.