Title

Feasibility of an in-home remote exercise intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study

Authors

Claudia Dalterio, Union College - Schenectady, NYFollow

Files

Document Type

Union College Only

Faculty Sponsor

Cay Anderson-Hanley

Department

Neuroscience

Description

With the prevalence of dementia and neurocognitive decline on the rise, older adult populations have begun seeking out non-pharmacological methods to prevent or ameliorate their symptoms. Specifically, prior research has shown greater cognitive benefits from simultaneous exercise and cognitive stimulation than exercise alone, particularly for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of a remote, home-based, exercise intervention for older adults. For three months, six older adults engaged in integrative physical and cognitive exercise via a neuro-exergame called the interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES v2.0), which involves pedaling an under-desk elliptical while playing an interactive video game. Participants completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and after the intervention, and exit interviews were conducted via Zoom at the conclusion of the study. While participants found the neuro-exergame to be entertaining, several setup and technical difficulties arose that made their overall experience more difficult. Our findings suggest that a more effective intervention would involve more user-friendly features that allow for greater ease of use by older adults with MCI.

Recommended Citation

Dalterio, Claudia, "Feasibility of an in-home remote exercise intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study" (2020). 2020 Summer Research Poster Session. 15.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/srps_2020/15