Does Cognitive Training Improve Mobility, Enhance Cognition, and Promote Neural Activation?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• A strong link exists between mobility and cognition in older adults.
• Cognitive remediation has shown to improve gait in frail individuals.
• The effects of cognitive training on mobility in healthy older adults are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of computerized cognitive training (CCT) on mobility in healthy, independently living older adults.
• To determine if CCT is associated with changes in neural activation for mobility-related brain processes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized single-blind control study was conducted with 63 healthy older adults (age ≥ 60).
• Participants were assigned to a 2-month CCT program or a wait-list control group.
• Outcomes included gait speed (single- and dual-task), executive function (Trail Making Test B), and neural activity (EEG/ERPs).

Main Results:

• CCT significantly improved gait speed during dual-task walking (p=0.008) but not single-task walking (p=0.057).
• Executive function also improved in the CCT group (p=0.024).
• Electrophysiological findings showed shorter reaction times, enhanced neural activation over sensorimotor areas, and shorter ERP latencies (P2 component) in the CCT group.

Conclusions:

• Computerized cognitive training can enhance mobility and executive function in healthy older adults.
• CCT may induce neural adaptations in sensorimotor areas, potentially explaining the observed improvements.
• These findings suggest CCT as a viable intervention to maintain or improve mobility in aging populations.