Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acute effects of exergames on cognitive function of institutionalized older persons: a single-blinded, randomized and controlled pilot study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Improvements on balance, gait and cognition are some of the benefits of exergames. Few studies have investigated the cognitive effects of exergames in institutionalized older persons.

Aims

To assess the acute effect of a single session of exergames on cognition of institutionalized older persons.

Methods

Nineteen institutionalized older persons were randomly allocated to Wii (WG, n = 10, 86 ± 7 year, two males) or control groups (CG, n = 9, 86 ± 5 year, one male). The WG performed six exercises with virtual reality, whereas CG performed six exercises without virtual reality. Verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span forward and digit span backward were used to evaluate semantic memory/executive function, short-term memory and work memory, respectively, before and after exergames and Δ post- to pre-session (absolute) and Δ % (relative) were calculated. Parametric (t independent test) and nonparametric (Mann–Whitney test) statistics and effect size were applied to tests for efficacy.

Results

VFT was statistically significant within WG (−3.07, df = 9, p = 0.013). We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Effect size between groups of Δ % (median = 21 %) showed moderate effect for WG (0.63).

Discussion

Our data show moderate improvement of semantic memory/executive function due to exergames session. It is possible that cognitive brain areas are activated during exergames, increasing clinical response.

Conclusion

A single session of exergames showed no significant improvement in short-term memory, working memory and semantic memory/executive function. The effect size for verbal fluency was promising, and future studies on this issue should be developed.

Protocol number of Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials

RBR-6rytw2.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. García-García FJ, Carcaillon L, Fernandez-Tresguerres J, Alfaro A, Larrion JL, Castillo C, Rodriguez-Mañas L (2014) A new operational definition of frailty: the Frailty Trait Scale. J Am Med Dir Assoc 15:371-e7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Hirani V, Blyth F, Naganathan V, Le Couteur DG, Seibel MJ, Waite LM, Handelsman DJ, Cumming RG (2015) Sarcopenia is associated with incident disability, institutionalization, and mortality in community-dwelling older men: the concord health and ageing in men project. J Am Med Dir Assoc 16:607–613

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. González-Colaço Harmand M, Meillon C, Rullier L, Avila-Funes JA, Bergua V, Dartigues JF, Amieva H (2014) Cognitive decline after entering a nursing home: a 22-year follow-up study of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized elderly people. J Am Med Dir Assoc 15:504–508

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Csapo R, Gormasz C, Baron R (2009) Functional performance in community-dwelling and institutionalized elderly women. Wien Klin Wochenschr 121:383–390

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Furtado HL, Sousa N, Simão R, Pereira FD, Vilaça-Alves J (2015) Physical exercise and functional fitness in independently living vs institutionalized elderly women: a comparison of 60- to 79-year-old city dwellers. Clin Interv Aging 10:795–801

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Vankova H, Holmerova I, Machacova K, Volicer L, Veleta P, Celko AM (2014) The effect of dance on depressive symptoms in nursing home residents. J Am Med Dir Assoc 15:582–587

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Baum EE, Jarjoura D, Polen AE, Faur D, Rutecki G (2003) Effectiveness of a group exercise program in a long-term care facility: a randomized pilot trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc 4:74–80

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dal Bello-Haas VP, Thorpe LU, Lix LM, Scudds R, Hadjistavropoulos T (2012) The effects of a long-term care walking program on balance, falls and well-being. BMC Geriatr 12:76

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Jedrziewski MK, Ewbank DC, Wang H, Trojanowski JQ (2014) The Impact of exercise, cognitive activities, and socialization on cognitive function: results from the national long-term care survey. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 29:372–378

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Scherder E, Scherder R, Verburgh L, Königs M, Blom M, Kramer AF, Eggermont L (2014) Executive functions of sedentary elderly may benefit from walking: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 22:782–791

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Agmon M, Kelly VE, Logsdon RG, Nguyen H, Belza B (2015) The Effects of Enhance Fitness (EF) training on dual-task walking in older adults. J Appl Gerontol 34:NP-128–NP-142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. McGough EL, Kelly VE, Logsdon RG, McCurry SM, Cochrane BB, Engel JM, Teri L (2011) Associations between physical performance and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: gait speed and the timed “up & go” test. Phys Ther 91:1198–1207

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Jäger K, Schmidt M, Conzelmann A, Roebers CM (2014) Cognitive and physiological effects of an acute physical activity intervention in elementary school children. Front Psychol 5:1473

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Popovich C, Staines W (2015) Acute aerobic exercise enhances attentional modulation of somatosensory event-related potentials during a tactile discrimination task. Behav Brain Res 281:267–275

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hillman CH, Snook EM, Jerome GJ (2003) Acute cardiovascular exercise and executive control function. Int J Psychophysiol 48:307–314

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Leckie RL, Oberlin LE, Voss MW, Prakash RS, Szabo-Reed A, Chaddock-Heyman L, Phillips SM, Gothe NP, Mailey E, Vieira-Potter VJ et al (2014) BDNF mediates improvements in executive function following a 1-year exercise intervention. Front Hum Neurosci 8:985

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Gothe NP, Kramer AF, McAuley E (2014) The effects of an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention on executive function in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 69:1109–1116

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Fedor A, Garcia S, Gunstad J (2015) The effects of a brief, water-based exercise intervention on cognitive function in older adults. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 30:139–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Peiffer R, Darby LA, Fullenkamp A, Morgan AL (2015) Effects of acute aerobic exercise on executive function in older women. J Sports Sci Med 14:574–583

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Voss MW, Heo S, Prakash RS, Erickson KI, Alves H, Chaddock L, Szabo AN, Mailey EL, Wójcicki TR, White SM et al (2013) The influence of aerobic fitness on cerebral white matter integrity and cognitive function in older adults: results of a one-year exercise intervention. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2972–2985

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Monteiro-Junior RS, de Souza CP, Lattari E, Rocha NB, Mura G, Machado S, da Silva EB (2015) Wii-workouts on chronic pain, physical capabilities and mood of older women: a randomized controlled double blind trial. CNS Neurol Disord: Drug Targets 14:1157–1164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pichierri G, Murer K, de Bruin ED (2012) A cognitive-motor intervention using a dance video game to enhance foot placement accuracy and gait under dual task conditions in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 12:74

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Taddei F, Bultrini A, Spinelli D, Di Russo F (2012) Neural correlates of attentional and executive processing in middle-age fencers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 44:1057–1066

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Di Russo F, Taddei F, Apnile T, Spinelli D (2006) Neural correlates of fast stimulus discrimination and response selection in top-level fencers. Neurosci Lett 408:113–118

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Di Russo F, Bultrini A, Brunelli S, Delussu AS, Polidori L, Taddei F, Traballesi M, Spinelli D (2010) Benefits of sports participation for executive function in disabled athletes. J Neurotrauma 27:2309–2319

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Padala KP, Padala PR, Malloy TR, Geske JA, Dubbert PM, Dennis RA, Garner KK, Bopp MM, Burke WJ, Sullivan DH (2012) Wii-fit for improving gait and balance in an assisted living facility: a pilot study. J Aging Res 2012:597573

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Maillot P, Perrot A, Hartley A (2012) Effects of interactive physical-activity video-game training on physical and cognitive function in older adults. Psychol Aging 27:589–600

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Anderson-Hanley C, Arciero PJ, Brickman AM, Nimon JP, Okuma N, Westen SC, Merz ME, Pence BD, Woods JA, Kramer AF et al (2012) Exergaming and older adult cognition: a cluster randomized clinical trial. Am J Prev Med 42:109–119

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Maguire EA, Burgess N, Donnett JG, Frackowiak RS, Frith CD, O’Keefe J (1998) Knowing where and getting there: a human navigation network. Science 280:921–924

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Schulz KF, Altman DG, Moher D, Group C (2011) CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. Int J Surg 9:672–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Thabane L, Ma J, Chu R, Cheng J, Ismaila A, Rios LP, Robson R, Thabane M, Giangregorio L, Goldsmith CH (2010) A tutorial on pilot studies: the what, why and how. BMC Med Res Methodol 10:1

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Bertolucci PH, Brucki SM, Campacci SR, Juliano Y (1994) The mini-mental state examination in a general population: impact of educational status. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 52:1–7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Molloy DW, Standish TI (1997) A guide to the standardized mini-mental state examination. Int Psychogeriatr 9(Suppl1):87–94

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Brucki SM, Malheiros SM, Okamoto IH, Bertolucci PH (1997) Normative data on the verbal fluency test in the animal category in our milieu. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 55:56–61

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Schroeder RW, Twumasi-Ankrah P, Baade LE, Marshall PS (2012) Reliable Digit Span: a systematic review and cross-validation study. Assessment 19:21–30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Martins S, Lourenço C, Pinto-de-Sousa J, Conceição F, Paiva JA, Simões MR, Fernandes L (2015) Validation study of the European Portuguese version of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Int Psychogeriatr 27:777–784

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Passos VM, Giatti L, Barreto SM, Figueiredo RC, Caramelli P, Benseñor I, MA MEJ, Goulart AC, Nunes MA, Benseñor I et al (2011) Verbal fluency tests reliability in a Brazilian multicentric study, ELSA-Brasil. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 69:814–816

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Pekkala S, Goral M, Hyun J, Obler LK, Erkinjuntti T, Albert ML (2009) Semantic verbal fluency in two contrasting languages. Clin Linguist Phon 23:431–445

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Silva MA (2008) Development of the WAIS-III: a brief overview, history, and description. Grad J Couns Psychol 1:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hopkins WG (2000) Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med 30:1–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Cherney ID, Bersted K, Smetter J (2014) Training spatial skills in men and women. Percept Mot Skills 119:82–99

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Monteiro-Junior RS, Vaghetti CA, Nascimento OJ, Laks J, Deslandes AC (2016) Exergames: neuroplastic hypothesis about cognitive improvement and biological effects on physical function of institutionalized older persons. Neural Regen Res 11:201–204

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Yoon JE, Lee SM, Lim HS, Kim TH, Jeon JK, Mun MH (2013) The effects of cognitive activity combined with active extremity exercise on balance, walking activity, memory level and quality of life of an older adult sample with dementia. J Phys Ther Sci 25:1601–1604

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. De Souto Barreto P, Morley JE, Chodzko-Zajko Pitkala KH, Weening-Djiksterhuis E, Rodrigues-Mañas L, Barbagallo M et al (2016) Recommendations on physical activity and exercise for older adults living in long-term care facilities: a taskforce report. J Am Med Dir Assoc 17(5):381–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Camarano AA, Kanso S (2010) As instituições de longa permanência para idosos no Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Estudos de População 21:232–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Chao YY, Lucke KT, Scherer YK, Montgomery CA (2015) Understanding the Wii Exergames use: voices from assisted living residents. Rehabil Nurs. doi:10.1002/rnj.216

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Vincent W, Weir J (2012) Statistics in kinesiology. Human Kinetics

  48. Chang YK, Chu CH, Wang CC, Song TF, Wei GX (2015) Effect of acute exercise and cardiovascular fitness on cognitive function: an event-related cortical desynchronization study. Psychophysiology 52:342–351

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Thacker JS, Middleton LE, McIlroy WE, Staines WR (2014) The influence of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on cortical contributions to motor preparation and execution. Physiol Rep 2(10):1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (Finep). We would like to acknowledge Mr. Victor Guilherme Miranda de Almeida who participated in data collection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Education and Sport Department, State University of Montes Claros, Av. Rui Barbosa, 126, Campus Universitário Professor Darcy Ribeiro, Vila Mauricéia, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior

  2. Doctoral Program of Medicine (Neurology-Neuroscience), Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

    Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior, Paulo de Tarso Maciel-Pinheiro & Osvaldo José M. Nascimento

  3. Neuroscience Laboratory of Exercise, UERJ/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior, Luiz Felipe da Silva Figueiredo, Paulo de Tarso Maciel-Pinheiro, Erick Lohan Rodrigues Abud, Ana Elisa Mendes Montalvão Braga & Andrea Camaz Deslandes

  4. Post-graduation Program of Translational Biomedicine – Biotrans, Universidade Unigranrio, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil

    Luiz Felipe da Silva Figueiredo & Jerson Laks

  5. Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Andrea Camaz Deslandes & Jerson Laks

  6. Institute of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Andrea Camaz Deslandes

  7. Norwegian Advisory Unit for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway

    Maria Lage Barca

  8. Norwegian Centre for Aging and Health, Vestfold Health Trust, 3130, Tønsberg, Norway

    Knut Engedal

  9. Institute of Physical Education, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

    Paulo de Tarso Maciel-Pinheiro

Authors
  1. Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luiz Felipe da Silva Figueiredo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paulo de Tarso Maciel-Pinheiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Erick Lohan Rodrigues Abud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ana Elisa Mendes Montalvão Braga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maria Lage Barca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Knut Engedal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Osvaldo José M. Nascimento
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Andrea Camaz Deslandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jerson Laks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of Brazilian Council of Health and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Participants signed a consent term, and the study was approved by Ethics Committee in Research of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (no 458.834).

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Monteiro-Junior, R.S., da Silva Figueiredo, L.F., Maciel-Pinheiro, P. et al. Acute effects of exergames on cognitive function of institutionalized older persons: a single-blinded, randomized and controlled pilot study. Aging Clin Exp Res 29, 387–394 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0595-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0595-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation