Effect of the activation and blood flow of the frontal lobe function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment and the effects of multitask training

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26463456
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Gerontological nursing
• Research Institution: Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University
• Principal Investigator: Shimizu Nobuko 石川県立看護大学, 看護学部, 助教 (20722622)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 軽度認知障害 / 地域在住高齢者 / 前頭葉機能 / 近赤外線光脳機能イメージング装置 / Movement Music Therapy / 音楽運動療法 / 認知機能 / 脳血流量

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We tested the hypothesis that performing a rhythmic physical task accompanied by a cognitive task, such as multitask movement music therapy (MMT) involving repetitive rhythmic movements with a musical instrument (the Naruko clapper), may improve pre-frontal cortex (PFC) function and cognitive performance. We assessed the effects of MMT on frontal lobe blood flow and activation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and compared the effects of MMT with that of a non-rhythmic exercise routine that lacked accompanying music or the Naruko clapper (single-task training [STT]). Before and after the 12-week exercise program, we observed significant improvements in Frontal Assessment Battery scores in the MMT group but not in the STT group. Cerebral blood flow in the PFC during the exercise was significantly increased in the MMT group compared with the STT group. Furthermore, the cerebral blood flow increase was significantly correlated among various channels in the MMT group.

Free Research Field

地域・精神看護学