Effect of computerized cognitive training with virtual spatial navigation task during bed rest immobilization and...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Bed rest (BR) immobilization can negatively affect vascular endothelial function, particularly in older adults.
• Endothelial dysfunction is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 14-day bed rest immobilization on vascular endothelium in healthy older males.
• To determine if computerized cognitive training (CCT) with virtual spatial navigation mitigates these effects.

Main Methods:

• 16 healthy older males (ages 53-65) underwent 14-day bed rest.
• 8 participants received CCT with virtual spatial navigation during bed rest.
• Endothelial function was assessed using EndoPAT® pre- and post-bed rest and after 28 days of recovery.

Main Results:

• The control group showed a trend of decreasing endothelial function post-immobilization (EndoPAT index decreased from 2.06 to 1.70).
• The CCT group showed a slight increase in endothelial function post-immobilization (EndoPAT index increased from 1.53 to 1.61).
• Endothelial function recovery was similar between groups after 28 days, but CCT subjects had a greater improvement from baseline.

Conclusions:

• Bed rest immobilization shows a trend towards impairing vasoconstrictory endothelial response in older individuals.
• Computerized cognitive training during bed rest may not improve but could slow the impairment of endothelial function.
• EndoPAT® is a potentially useful noninvasive tool for assessing vascular reactivity changes during immobilization.