Effects of Multimodal Exercise With Augmented Reality on Cognition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of an exercise intervention using multimodal exercise with augmented reality and multimodal exercise-only on cognitive function in older adults living in a community dwelling.

Design: Quasi-experimental research study.

Setting and participants: In this control study, 78 participants were divided into 2 experimental groups (with sessions 3 times a week for 12 weeks) and a control group (CG).

Methods: EG1 participated in a multimodal exercise-only intervention program, EG2 participated in a multimodal exercise program with augmented reality exergames, and CG continued its usual activities. Participants were assessed at baseline and postintervention after 12 weeks.

Results: Comparison between baseline and postintervention at 12 weeks showed significant improvements in executive functions, verbal fluency, choice reaction time, and dual task in EG1, whereas there were improvements in general cognition, executive functions, verbal fluency, discrimination reaction time, and depression in EG2 (P ≤ .05). The clinical effect sizes of the interventions were large for overall cognition, executive functions, and reaction time on single- and dual-task reaction time in EG1 and for overall cognition, executive functions, and verbal fluency in EG2.

Conclusion and implications: The intervention programs showed significant improvements in several cognitive domains. The multimodal exercise-only showed improvements in more variables than the multimodal exercise with augmented reality, but the augmented reality group showed greater changes between baseline and postintervention.