[Adaptation to intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia improves cognitive performance and exercise tolerance in elderly]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Multimodal training programs (MTP) combine physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and cardiovascular training for geriatric patients.
• Intermittent Hypoxic-Hyperoxic Training (IHHT) is a modified form of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT).
• IHHT may offer additional benefits to MTP for improving exercise tolerance and cognitive function in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of adding IHHT to MTP in geriatric patients.
• To assess the impact of IHHT on cognitive performance and functional exercise capacity.
• To compare the effects of MTP plus IHHT versus MTP plus placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 34 geriatric patients (64-92 years).
• Participants were randomly assigned to MTP plus IHHT (experimental group) or MTP plus placebo (control group).
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Dementia-Detection-Test (DemTect) and Clock-Drawing-Test (CDT). Functional exercise capacity was measured by the 6-Minute-Walk-Test (6MWT).

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significant improvements in DemTect scores (+16.7% vs. +0.39%) and CDT scores (+10.7% vs. -8%).
• Both groups improved in the 6MWT, but the experimental group had a significantly larger increase (+24.1% vs. +10.8%).
• A significant relationship was found between improvements in 6MWT and cognitive test scores.

Conclusions:

• IHHT significantly enhances cognitive performance and exercise capacity in geriatric patients undergoing MTP.
• IHHT is easily applicable and well-tolerated by elderly individuals up to 92 years of age.
• Combining IHHT with MTP provides superior benefits for geriatric patients compared to MTP alone.