Impact of a motor-cognitive intervention on cognitive function in middle-aged and older patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of a motor-cognitive intervention on cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A single-group design with repeated measures was used, with twenty-six middle-aged and older patients with T2DM (aged 68.58 ± 6.15 years) tested on two occasions four weeks apart to establish a baseline before participating in the exercise programme (55-60 min per session; 3 x week) for eight weeks. Participants were then tested again immediately after the training programme. Except for phonemic fluency error scores, the baseline data remained unchanged. After the training programme, statistical tests showed a significant improvement in some variables of executive function and attention demand, (p < 0.017, Bonferroni adjustment to compensate for multiple comparisons), as well as a positive effect on information processing speed, and dual-task performance. Combining physical and cognitive stimulation can have a positive impact on the cognitive functioning of participants with T2DM.