Published online Apr 19, 2025. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v15.i4.103827
Revised: January 20, 2025
Accepted: February 21, 2025
Published online: April 19, 2025
Processing time: 102 Days and 0.3 Hours
Cognitive frailty and depression are prevalent among the elderly, significantly impairing physical and cognitive functions, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Effective interventions are essential to mitigate these adverse effects and enhance overall health outcomes in this population.
To evaluate the effects of exercise-cognitive dual-task training on frailty, cognitive function, psychological status, and quality of life in elderly patients with cognitive frailty and depression.
A retrospective study was conducted on 130 patients with cognitive frailty and depression admitted between December 2021 and December 2023. Patients were divided into a control group receiving routine intervention and an observation group undergoing exercise-cognitive dual-task training in addition to routine care. Frailty, cognitive function, balance and gait, psychological status, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention.
After the intervention, the frailty score of the observation group was (5.32 ± 0.69), lower than that of the control group (5.71 ± 0.55). The Montreal cognitive assessment basic scale score in the observation group was (24.06 ± 0.99), higher than the control group (23.43 ± 1.40). The performance oriented mobility assessment score in the observation group was (21.81 ± 1.24), higher than the control group (21.15 ± 1.26). The self-efficacy in the observation group was (28.27 ± 2.66), higher than the control group (30.05 ± 2.66). The anxiety score in the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) for the observation group was (5.86 ± 0.68), lower than the control group (6.21 ± 0.64). The depression score in the HADS for the observation group was (5.67 ± 0.75), lower than the control group (6.27 ± 0.92). Additionally, the scores for each dimension of the 36-item short form survey in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).
Exercise-cognitive dual-task training is beneficial for improving frailty, enhancing cognitive function, and improving psychological status and quality of life in elderly patients with cognitive frailty and depression.
Core Tip: This study demonstrates that exercise-cognitive dual-task training significantly improves frailty, cognitive function, psychological well-being, and quality of life in elderly patients with cognitive frailty and depression. The intervention combines physical exercises and cognitive tasks, enhancing neuroplasticity and optimizing cognitive-motor integration. Results revealed lower frailty and depression scores and higher cognitive, balance, and quality of life scores in the observation group compared to the control group. These findings underscore the importance of multimodal interventions in geriatric care to mitigate the adverse effects of aging-related cognitive and psychological conditions. Long-term implementation could potentially delay or reverse cognitive frailty progression.