The effect of two multi-component behavior change interventions on cognitive functions

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Previous research explored workplace interventions on movement behaviors and cardiorespiratory fitness.
• This study investigates the impact of these interventions on cognitive functions in office workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effect of workplace interventions on cognitive functions (Executive Functions, Episodic Memory, Processing Speed, Global Cognition).
• To examine the relationship between changes in cognition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and movement behaviors.
• To determine if age, sex, or cardiorespiratory fitness moderate these associations.

Main Methods:

• Two cluster-randomized 6-month interventions targeting sedentary behavior or physical activity.
• 139 office workers completed neuropsychological tests and wore accelerometers at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
• Analysis included intervention effects, associations between behavior/fitness changes and cognition, and moderation by age, sex, and fitness.

Main Results:

• Cognitive performance improved overall but did not differ between intervention and control groups.
• Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness or movement behaviors did not predict cognitive changes.
• Age moderated the association between time in bed and cognitive functions; sex and cardiorespiratory fitness also showed moderating effects on specific cognitive domains.

Conclusions:

• Workplace interventions did not demonstrate a direct effect on cognitive functions.
• Age, sex, and cardiorespiratory fitness may play a role in moderating the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and cognitive changes.