Exploratory research on dementia prevention methods in the Fraility elderly -Development of cognitive chair and exercise-

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19782
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Atsushi Toda 川崎医療福祉大学, 医療技術学部, 助教 (00804618)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: フレイル / 認知症 / 高齢者 / 認知症予防 / 二重課題 / fNIRS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the relationship between cognitive function and physical function in community elderly people, and also conducted empirical research on the characteristics of neuropsychological tests that are commonly used in clinical practice with patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Based on the results of these field studies, we developed an original cognitive task that combines exercise and cognitive tasks that can be performed in a seated position. Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity during the task, we observed a predominant activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, confirming the effectiveness of the task. These results may lead to the development of dementia prevention methods for frail elderly people.

Free Research Field

高齢看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

認知症予防においては、有酸素運動の効果は多くの研究で報告されているが、その有効性のメカニズムの機序や運動負荷の程度は、明らかにされていない。また増加傾向にあるフレイル高齢者の認知症予防対策は確立されていない。このような背景において、本研究では、地域高齢者の認知機能と身体機能の特徴を捉え、その結果を基に低負荷運動を組み合わせたDual task課題を開発したことは大変意義がある。認知症予防は、包括的な複合介入の効果が期待されており、今後は各領域の専門家とも連携しながら、共同して研究を進めていくことが重要であると考える。