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Physical activities attenuate the negative cognitive impact from white matter hyperintensities in stroke and TIA patients with low education
Author(s) -
Wong Adrian,
Yiu Stanley,
Lam Bonnie Yin Ka,
Leung Kam Tat,
Shi Lin,
Lo Eugene,
Abrigo Jill,
Au Lisa Wc,
Lau Alexander,
Mok Vincent
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.5194
Subject(s) - hyperintensity , montreal cognitive assessment , cognitive reserve , cognition , stroke (engine) , psychology , medicine , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , cardiology , physical therapy , gerontology , cognitive impairment , magnetic resonance imaging , psychiatry , mechanical engineering , engineering , radiology
Background The objective of this study is to examine the effects of recent regular participation leisure activities upon cognitive functions between 3 and 6 months after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). We also explored whether the cognitive effects interacted with the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), a marker of cerebral white matter disease, in patients with low or high education. Methods Two‐hundred and ninety‐two subjects with mean age of 66.1 (11.0) years were recruited at median 161(131‐180) days post index event. WMH volume was evaluated using a semi‐automated method on MRI brain. Cognitive functions were measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the associations between leisure activity participation with WMH and the moderating effects of leisure activities upon relationship between WMH and MoCA. Analyses were further stratified by low (<6 years) or high education (≥6 years). All models were adjusted with age, sex, and years of education. Results Physical activity (PA), but not intellectual activity (IA), was negatively related to WMH volume ( P < .05). IA exerted a main effect on MoCA performance (b = 3.21, P < .001). PA, but not IA, significantly interacted with WMH volume (b = −0.18, P < .01) on MoCA performance, but the interaction was only significant in the lower education group (b = 0.28, P < .01) but not in the higher education group. Conclusions In patients with stroke/TIA, IA confers general cognitive benefits. Regular participation in PA negatively correlated with WMH volume. In patients with low education, PA increases resilience against vascular cognitive impairment.