In a large-scale investigation, researchers found no significant enhancement of cognitive function in older adults following exercise or mindfulness training. This study, conducted on individuals who experienced age-related memory changes but did not have dementia, involved 585 participants aged between 65 and 84. The results, published in JAMA, revealed no significant differences in cognitive performance amongst the four groups: those engaged in exercise, mindfulness, a combination of the two, or a control group given general health education.
Despite the absence of measurable improvements after 6 or 18 months, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of California, San Diego, are not dismissing the potential for long-term impacts of these interventions on cognitive decline. In this particular study, exercise and mindfulness were not found to enhance cognitive function, but the researchers are keen on further exploring potential cognitive effects over an extended period.
The study, helmed by Eric J. Lenze, MD, Wallace and Lucille Renard Professor, and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University, along with his colleagues, is the latest attempt to identify methods to improve cognitive function in older adults. While the benefits of exercise and mindfulness training, such as stress reduction and improved general health, are widely accepted, their effect on cognitive function remains unclear. This study aims to add to the growing body of research in this area.
All the 585 study participants were cognitively normal for their ages. They were allocated randomly to one of four groups: exercise, mindfulness, a combination of both, or a control group receiving general health education. Memory tests and brain scans were performed at the start, after six months, and again after 18 months.
At both the six and 18-month marks, there was no notable difference among the groups. Though slight improvements in testing were observed, these were attributed to practice effects, as participants became familiar with the tests. Similarly, brain scans showed no significant differences suggesting any benefit from the training.
Lenze stresses that the results don’t imply exercise or mindfulness training won’t benefit cognitive function in any older adults, but rather that such practices do not appear to boost cognitive performance in healthy individuals without impairments.
The research team has recently secured funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue studying the same group over an extended period. The next phase will monitor the same group for five more years to determine whether exercise and mindfulness training could potentially slow or prevent future cognitive declines.
The study, titled “Effects of Mindfulness Training and Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults – A Randomized Clinical Trial,” received funding support from various sources, including the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research, and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation. Additional funding was provided by the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research.
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FAQ about Cognitive Function in Older Adults
What was the purpose of the study?
The purpose of the study was to investigate whether exercise or mindfulness training could improve cognitive function in older adults who experienced age-related changes in memory but did not have dementia.
How many participants were involved in the study?
The study involved 585 adults aged 65 to 84 who were randomly assigned to different groups: exercise, mindfulness, a combination of exercise and mindfulness, and a control group.
Did the study find any significant differences in cognitive performance among the groups?
No, the study found no significant differences in cognitive performance among the groups. Neither exercise nor mindfulness training showed measurable improvements in cognitive function after 6 months or 18 months.
Will exercise and mindfulness training benefit cognitive function in any older adults?
The study’s findings do not imply that exercise or mindfulness training won’t benefit cognitive function in any older adults. However, in this particular study, these practices did not appear to boost cognitive performance in healthy individuals without impairments.
Will the researchers continue studying the long-term impact of exercise and mindfulness on cognitive decline?
Yes, despite the current findings, the researchers plan to continue studying the same group of older adults over a longer period to determine if exercise and mindfulness training might help slow or prevent future cognitive declines.
What were the funding sources for this study?
The study received funding support from the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research, the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, and the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research.
More about Cognitive Function in Older Adults
- Study: Effects of Mindfulness Training and Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults – A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Washington University School of Medicine: Department of Psychiatry
- University of California, San Diego: Department of Psychiatry
5 comments
wow this study found that neither exercise nor mindfulness improved cognitive function in older adults thats pretty surprising I thought those things were supposed to help with memory and stuff so it looks like we need more research to figure out what really works yknow
This research is interesting but kind of disappointing. I was hoping exercise and mindfulness could be the key to keeping our brains sharp as we age. Guess we still have a lot to learn about cognitive function in older adults!
It’s fascinating how this study challenges the common belief that exercise and mindfulness training automatically boost cognitive abilities. But hey, science is all about discovering new information and debunking myths. Can’t wait to see what future research reveals!
Well, I guess we can’t rely solely on exercise and mindfulness to improve cognitive function in older adults. There might be other factors at play here. We should keep an open mind and explore different strategies for maintaining a healthy mind as we age.
So, even if I exercise and practice mindfulness regularly, it might not make a huge difference in my memory and thinking abilities? That’s a bit disheartening. But hey, at least exercise and mindfulness have other benefits for my overall health, so I’ll keep doing them anyway!