The Effect of 12 Weeks of Cognitive Motor Integrated Exercises on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the Elderly with Dementia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cognitive motor integrated exercises on BDNF in the elderly with dementia. For this purpose, 24 male elderly with dementia (12 experimental and 12 control (were selected as the statistical sample. The program consisted of 12 weeks of (3 sessions per week, 45 minutes per session (cognitive motor exercises according to the guidelines of American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM). Before and after the exercise protocol, BDNF and cognitive and functional tests were evaluated. ANOVA with repeated measures was used for data analysis. The results showed that 12 weeks of cognitive motor protocol increased BDNF (P=0.001) and improved the results of functional reach test (P=0.005), timed up and go test (P=0.001), Berg balance scale (P=0.001) and mini–mental state examination (P=0.015) in the active group. In general, these findings showed that motor integrated exercise in the elderly with dementia increased BNDF levels. These findings clinically confirm the importance of physical fitness as a factor which prevents dementia in the future. Also, this type of activity is a beneficial training method to maintain motor function and to reduce the rate of mental functioning in the elderly.