Open AccessAerobic exercise in older people with subclinical sporadic cerebral small vessel disease: A randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Wong Adrian,
Lam Bonnie Yin Ka,
Mak Margaret Kit Yi,
Lam Linda Chiu Wa,
Au Lisa Wing Chi,
Yiu Brian Ka Fung,
Wong Chun,
Tong Hor Yee,
Yeung Sin Ki,
Chu Winnie Chiu Wing,
Shi Lin,
Leung Thomas Wai Hong,
Soo Yannie Oi Yan,
Lau Alexander Yuk Lun,
Ip Bonaventure Yiu Ming,
Kwok Timothy Chi Yui,
Ko Ho,
Mok Vincent Chung Tong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1002/trc2.12224
Subject(s) - aerobic exercise , randomized controlled trial , mood , subclinical infection , hyperintensity , blood pressure , hemodynamics , physical therapy , cognition , medicine , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , cardiology , magnetic resonance imaging , psychiatry , radiology
The benefit and risk of aerobic exercise among older people harboring advanced cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) upon cognition, mood, and motor functions are unknown. Methods This rater‐blind randomized trial examined effects of a 24‐week aerobic exercise training (60 min/session, twice/week) upon clinical (cognition, mood, motor functions) and hemodynamic (pulse pressure [PP], blood pressure [BP], pulsatility index) measures in older people harboring moderate to severe CSVD, as evidenced by confluent white matter hyperintensity and/or ≥2 lacunes on magnetic resonance imaging. We further investigated interactions between treatment conditions and hemodynamics measures. Results Fifty‐three and 54 subjects were randomized into the active and control group, respectively. There was no between‐group difference in any of the clinical outcomes. The active group had a greater between‐group reduction in systolic BP and PP than the control group. Within‐group comparison showed that global cognition of the active group remained similar at end of the study compared to baseline, whereas it declined significantly in the control group. We observed “diverging” interaction effects in that greater reduction in systolic BP/PP was associated with greater improvement in memory functions and global cognition but worsening in processing speed in the active group. Side effects were comparable between the two groups. Discussion Future study should investigate the mechanisms of the diverging impacts of aerobic exercise upon different cognitive domains so that the benefit–risk ratio of aerobic exercise in older people harboring more advanced CSVD can be better defined.