Identifying Exercise Interventions That May Slow the Progression of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as the stage between normal cognitive changes that may occur with age and more serious symptoms that indicate dementia. Symptoms of MCI can include problems with thinking, judgment, memory, and language, but the loss does not significantly interfere with the ability to handle everyday activities. A wide range of evidence demonstrates that aerobic, strength training, and combined exercises can slow the progression of cognitive impairment. However, few research studies in the United States exist, possibly due to an over-reliance on pharmacological intervention. To answer our research question, we performed a scoping review analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to locate published studies showing the types of exercise interventions using cognitive measures that benefit communities of older adults. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension Scoping Reviews guidelines, the authors searched five databases, namely, PubMed, GALE, Wiley Online Library, EBSCOHost, and OVID, for exercise intervention programs and slowing the progression of cognitive decline in older adults with MCI. All searches were performed between September 2022 and February 2023. In summary, we analyzed 10 international RCTs with 1,075 participants (mean age of over 50 years), but only 668 people were included in the control or experimental group. Combining exercise modalities in the intervention groups versus control groups prompted more beneficial results, improving global cognitive functioning. Resistance training shows promise as an exercise modality suitable for older adults to slow the progression of cognitive impairment.