Objective: To explore the effect cognitive training group vs cognitive training with concurrent physical exercise group on executive functions in Parkinson’s Disease.

Background: PD patients manifest motor deficits but also a wide spectrum of cognitive impairments. Several studies have suggested that the combination of both cognitive training and physical exercise can improve cognitive function in PD more efficiently than cognitive training alone.

Methods: 41 PD patients were allocated randomly to two groups, a cognitive training group (CT), and a cognitive training with concurrent physical exercise group (CTE). Cognitive training was implemented using a computer-aided training software that included a batery of cognitive tasks to target executive functions. We ensured the same cognitive load across the groups by adjusting the dificulty level of each cognitive task to the maximal cognitive capacity of each patient. Patients in the CTE group perfomed the cognitive training while walking on a treadmill. The training programs consisted of a total of 24 sessions (3 sessions/week). The executive performance were blindly assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Word fluency test, Digit Span backwards test, Tower of London test, Stroop test, Trail Making test, Corsi Block test) two months and one week before the training programs, as well as one week and one month after their cesation.

Results: We showed a deterioration of the cognitive performance in the CT group across the evaluation time points, while the CTE group showed the reverse effect with a cognitive improvement as a result of the combined training program.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the combined effect of treadmill walking and computerized cognitive training improves the executive functions in PD, while cognitive training on its own may not be effective.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-computerized-cognitive-training-with-and-without-concurrent-exercise-on-executive-functions-in-parkinsons-disease/