Evaluation of ACE program: A Home-Based Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Activities for Elderly to Delay Dementia Progression among Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v8i3.440Keywords:
Dementia, Mild cognitive impairment, Physical exercise, Cognitive activities, Elderly healthAbstract
Background: Dementia is a growing public health concern, particularly among elderly individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise and cognitive activities have shown potential in delaying cognitive decline. This study investigates the effectiveness of a home-based Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Activities for Elderly (ACE) program in improving cognitive performance among elderly individuals with MCI.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted involving 100 elderly participants diagnosed MCI. Participants were assigned to either a control group or an intervention group, which underwent a structured 12-week ACE program. Cognitive performance was evaluated at baseline, week 4 and week 12. Data analysis utilised the Mini-Cog assessment, comprising two components, a memory recall task and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT).
Results: There were no experimental–control differences, confirming group homogeneity before the intervention. In the intervention group, 55.8% improved in memory by week 4, rising to 90.7% by week 12. CDT gains increased from 18.6% at week 4 to 39.5% at week 12 (p<0.001), whereas the control group showed slower memory improvement, with 50.0% at week 4 to 59.1% at week 12 (p< 0.001). By week 12, the intervention group had significantly higher Mini-Cog than controls (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings support the effectiveness of structured physical and cognitive activity programs in mitigating cognitive decline among elderly individuals with MCI. Integrating such interventions into community-based healthcare initiatives may serve as a viable strategy to delay dementia onset and promote cognitive resilience.
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