Article

Individuals with definite cognitive impairment and mild cognitive
impairment (MCI) show motor dysfunction. This study aimed to
investigate whether exercise changes balance and whether the effects of exercise
on balance are different in patients with MCI as compared to the control group.
METHODS: Posturography was used to assess balance by measuring the mediolateral
and anteroposterior sway distance and sway speed. After the baseline balance test
(T1), subjects received exercise instruction. Follow-up balance tests were
performed at 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3). RESULTS: When comparing persons
with MCI (n = 17) with control group (n = 12), four indices of posturography
showed differences between groups (p < 0.05). Also, there were improvements in
more indices between T1 and T3, rather than between T1 and T2, in both MCI and
control groups (p < 0.05). After receiving guidance concerning exercises, the
sway values at 12 months were lower than values at the 6-month follow-up (p <
0.05). However, this trend in the sway values did not show a difference between
the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Persons with MCI had poorer balance control
ability as compared with normal healthy persons. More than one year of steady
exercise can be helpful for the improvement of balance in both MCI and normal
persons.

Langue : ANGLAIS