Physical exercise for prevention of dementia (EPD) study: background, design and methods

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Observational studies link exercise to reduced cognitive decline risk.
• Limited long-term randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence exists.
• This study addresses the need for robust RCT data on exercise and cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a 48-month multimodal supervised exercise program improves cognitive function in older adults.
• To assess the program's effect on the rate of cognitive decline across different risk groups for dementia.
• To provide evidence for exercise interventions in dementia prevention.

Main Methods:

• A 48-month, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (EPD study, NCT02236416).
• Recruitment of community-dwelling adults aged 50+ into three groups: no impairment, subjective complaints, or mild cognitive impairment.
• Random assignment (1:1) to supervised aerobic and resistance exercise or a control group.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome: 48-month change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.
• Secondary outcomes: changes in other cognitive tests and a composite cognitive score.
• Data collected at baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months.

Conclusions:

• The EPD trial is the first to evaluate a 48-month exercise program's impact on cognitive performance.
• Positive findings could support long-term, multimodal exercise for dementia prevention in aging populations.
• This research aims to establish exercise as a key strategy in combating age-related cognitive decline.