Effects of dance video game training on cognitive functions of community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with minor cognitive impairment can revert to normal cognition if intervention is implemented early. Dance video games as multi-task training have shown beneficial effects on cognitive and physical functions in older adults.

AIMS: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of dance video game training on cognitive functions and prefrontal cortex activity in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.

METHODS: A single-arm trial was used for this study. The participants were divided based on the Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores into the mild cognitive impairment (n = 10) and normal cognitive function (n = 11) groups. Dance video game training was performed 60 min/day, 1 day/week, for a total of 12 weeks. Neuropsychological assessments, prefrontal cortex activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and step performance of dance video game were recorded at pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS: Dance video game training significantly improved the Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (p < 0.05), and tendency toward improvement was observed in the trail making test in the mild cognitive impairment group. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity in the Stroop color word test was significantly increased in the mild cognitive impairment group (p < 0.05) after dance video game training.

CONCLUSIONS: Dance video game training improved cognitive function and increased prefrontal cortex activity in the mild cognitive impairment group.