Mind Body Wellness Interventions

Effect of treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children

While there have been numerous studies relating to the benefit of exercise on the cognitive processes in adults, the study of the effects of physical activity on cognition in children is limited. Studies focusing on children most often relate, directly or indirectly, to academic achievement issues and have broad implications for exercise interventions in school settings.  

This article was published in March 2009, but since it is of major relevance to the focus of this site, it is now covered here, along with two news articles expanding on the importance of its findings. The article is from Neuroscience [2009 Mar 31;159(3):1044-54] and by C.H. Hillman, M.B. Pontifex, L.B. Raine, D.M. Castelli, E.E. Hall, and A.F. Kramer, who examined the effect of moderate treadmill walking on attention and applied aspects of cognition as related to school-based academic performance.

Twenty preadolescent participants [9-year olds] were studied to "assess exercise-induced changes in performance during a modified flanker task and the Wide Range Achievement Test 3. The resting session consisted of cognitive testing followed by a cardiorespiratory fitness assessment to determine aerobic fitness. The exercise session consisted of 20 min of walking on a motor-driven treadmill at 60% of estimated maximum heart rate followed by cognitive testing once heart rate returned to within 10% of pre-exercise levels."

Results of the study showed improved response accuracy and better performance on the academic achievement test following aerobic exercise. 

"Collectively, these findings indicate that single, acute bouts of moderately-intense aerobic exercise (i.e. walking) may improve the cognitive control of attention in preadolescent children, and further support the use of moderate acute exercise as a contributing factor for increasing attention and academic performance. . . ." Abstract: PubMed.  More on this article at:  News Illinois: Physical activity may strengthen children's ability to pay attention; and a Science Daily feature of the same title: 

Effects of aerobic exercise-training on those with mild Alzheimer's disease

This study currently recruiting participants in Washington DC and Philadelphia "will examine the effects of aerobic exercise-training on neurocognitive function, and on cerebral glucose homeostasis. It is yet to be determined whether African Americans with mild AD [Alzheimer's disease] can be recruited into such a study, nor has the relationship of fitness adaptation to neurocognitive function been systematically examined in this population. . . . The long-term goal is to explore the mechanism by which fitness adaptation exerts an effect on neurocognition, notably, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins (IL-1A)), deranged glucose homeostasis, hypertension and endothelia dysfunction are precursors of arteriolosclerosis, decreased cerebral perfusion and oxygen deprivation, all of which may increase AD risk. Because many of these putative AD risk factors are susceptible to lifestyle alterations, the study will also assess their roles in aerobic fitness-related improvements in cognitive function and reduction in AD risk." 

Exercise intervention: aerobic exercise-training 3 times per week for 6 months. Inclusion criteria: over 60 years of age; ability to exercise vigorously without harm; mild AD; in good general health; willing to exercise for 6 months. More details at ClinicalTrails.gov: "Genes, Exercise, Memory and Neurodegeneration" at NCT01021644.

Tango research studies and Parkinson's

One summer about a decade ago, my husband and I were in Paris for a conference. Conferences always include spontaneous dinners at interesting restaurants with old friends and new. One evening eight of us went to dinner and I sat next to a rather typical British couple, rather tweedy, reserved, and soft-spoken. Until they starting tell me of their passion – the tango. They reported that they had just returned from Argentina where they had gone to take authentic tango lessons. It was a retirement lifestyle to envy; both in their 70s, they continued doing research and writing AND the tango.  

I thought of them just now when I did a search on PubMed and came up with quite a few research studies dealing with the tango and Parkinson's.   

Recent research study #1:  Participants completed ten 1.5 hour long Argentine tango dance lessons within two weeks and showed significant improvement on the Berg Balance Scale (effect size (ES)=0.83, p=0.021), Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale Motor Subscale III (ES=-0.64, p=0.029), and percent of time spent in stance during forward walking (ES=0.97, p=0.015). "Short duration, intensive tango dancing for Parkinson disease: an uncontrolled pilot study," by Hackney ME, Earhart GM, Complementary Therapies in Medicine [2009 Aug;17(4):203-7].  Abstract: PubMed.

Recent research study #2: Participants were assigned to tango, waltz/foxtrot or no intervention (control) groups with those in the dance groups attending one-hour classes twice a week, completing 20 lessons in 13 weeks. The tango group improved as much or more than those in the waltz/foxtrot group on several measures, but both types of dance were beneficial. "Effects of dance on movement control in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of Argentine tango and American ballroom," by Hackney ME, Earhart GM, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine [2009 May;41(6):475-81]. Abstract. PubMed.  

Recent research study #3:  Participants were randomly assigned to partnered or nonpartnered tango and attended one-hour classes twice per week, completing 20 lessons within 10 weeks."Effects of Dance on Gait and Balance in Parkinson's Disease: A Comparison of Partnered and Nonpartnered Dance Movement," by Hackney ME, Earhart GM, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair [forthcoming article, not yet published].  Abstract: PubMed.

Photo by Beige Alert

Structured exercise improves psychiatric and somatic health in those with bipolar disorder

Researchers from the University of Toronto recently conducted a review literature describing the effects of structured individualized physical exercise on bipolar disorder. They "conducted a PubMed search of all English-language articles published between 1966 and July 2008 with BD [bipolar disorder] cross-referenced with the following search terms: exercise, neurobiology, pathophysiology, pathoetiology, brain, cognition, neuroplasticity, and neurodegeneration. Articles selected for review were based on adequacy of sample size, the use of standardized experimental procedures, validated assessment measures, and overall manuscript quality."

The conclusions from their review of previous research in the area, was that "Structured exercise regimens exert a salutary effect on interacting networks mediating metabolism, immuno-inflammatory function, and cellular respiration. In keeping this view, buttressed by controlled evidence describing robust anti-depressant effects with exercise (e.g., public health dose), a testable hypothesis is that structured exercise is capable of improving psychiatric and somatic health in BD."  Abstract: PubMed. "Exercise and bipolar disorder: a review of neurobiological mediators," by Alsuwaidan MT, Kucyi A, Law CW, McIntyre RS in NeuroMolecular Medicine [2009;11(4):328-36]

Finnish study to prevent cognitive impairment now recruiting 1,200 participants

The National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, is currently recruiting 1,200 male and female participants 60 to 77 years of age for a cognitive impairment prevention study. This multi-center intervention study aims to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia in 60-77 year old persons at an increased dementia risk. The 2-year multi-domain life-style intervention includes nutritional guidance, exercise, cognitive training, increased social activity, and intensive monitoring and management of metabolic and vascular risk factors. 

Centers currently recruiting: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland; University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland; University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Research Center Mediwest, Seinajoki, Finland.  Details at: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01041989.  Photo by My Name's Axel

Clinical trial on exercise/cognitive-psychosocial functions in men with prostate cancer

The objective of the proposed research trail currently seeking participants is "to determine the efficacy of a home-based walking exercise program in promoting cognitive-psychosocial functions of men with prostate cancer receiving androgen depletion therapy (ADT) . . .  ADT has a number of side effects including compromised cognitive function, depression and anxiety, which negatively impacts the quality of life of men with prostate cancer. The central question of the proposed research is to determine if exercise will have a positive impact on the quality of life of men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT."  

The study, taking place at the University of Manitoba, is seeking participants 50 years and older.  More details: ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT00856102).

Rats that exercise before they binge alcohol protect vulnerable brain areas

Exercise appears to offer brain cell protection even against some of the unhealthiest of activities.

This study to be published next month in the journal, Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, by J. Leigh Leasure, Departments of Psychology and Biology & Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas; and Kimberly Nixon, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, investigated "whether voluntary exercise prior to binge alcohol exposure could protect against alcohol-induced cell loss. 

Female Long-Evans rats exercised voluntarily for 14 days before undergoing 4 days of binge alcohol consumption. Brains were harvested immediately after the last dose of alcohol and examined for various histological markers of neurodegeneration, including both cell death (FluoroJade B) and cell birth (Ki67) markers." 

Results showed that the rats that exercised prior to binge exposure were significantly less behaviorally intoxicated and had "reduced loss of dentate gyrus granule cells and fewer FluoroJade B positive cells in the dentate gyrus and associated entorhinal-perirhinal cortex compared to nonexercisers. However, exercise did not protect against cell death in the piriform cortex nor protect against alcohol-induced decreases in cell proliferation, evidenced by a similar alcohol-induced reduction in Ki67 labeled cells between exercise and sedentary rats." 

 . . . . . We conclude that exercise can . . .  protect vulnerable brain areas from alcohol-induced cell death. Exercise neuroprotection of alcohol-induced brain damage has important implications [for] . . . developing novel treatment strategies."  Article forthcoming: "Exercise Neuroprotection in a Rat Model of Binge Alcohol Consumption," by J. L. Leasure and K. Nixon, Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research.

Are you getting the right amount of daily exercise?

According to the article cited below,  "Physically active adults have a lower risk of depression and cognitive decline than inactive adults. In a study of 1,740 persons 65 years and older without a diagnosis of dementia at baseline, those who exercised at least three times a week were much less likely than nonexercisers to develop dementia or Alzheimer disease. Additionally, participating in an activity, especially regular physical exercise, appears to decrease the risk of delirium in hospitalized older patients. In a study of 779 newly hospitalized patients 70 years and older without dementia, regular exercise lowered the risk of delirium by 24 percent."

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released guidelines to provide information and guidance on the amount of physical activity recommended to maintain health and fitness. 

Recommendations for Physical Activity in Older Adults

Minimum activity for achieving important health benefits: Two hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (e.g., brisk walking) a week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week.

or one hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (e.g., jogging, running) a week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week

or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity equivalent to the recommendations above, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week

Increased activity for achieving additional health benefits

Five hours (300 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week

or two hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week

or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity equivalent to the recommendations above, plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days of the week.

Abstract: PubMed. "Physical activity guidelines for older adults," American Family Physician [2010 Jan 1;81(1):55-9].  Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

More on keeping the baby boomer's brain buff

This article appeared last April, but it echoes the focus of current research regarding the interrelation of exercise and the maintenance of cognitive health.  

". . . .  clinical research suggests that keeping physically active and engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise may be vital to brain health. Because exercise promotes neurogenesis, increased brain volume, and improved cognitive function, it can help the aging brain to retain plasticity. However the precise mechanisms by which exercise accomplishes these changes in the brain are not clearly understood. This study argues that 'what is good for the heart is good for the brain,' although more research is needed to determine the optimal exercise prescription for brain health and successful cognitive aging.'  Abstract: PubMed.  Article: "Exercise and the aging mind: buffing the baby boomer's body and brain," BL Marks, LM Katz, and JK Smith, The Physician and Sportsmedicine [2009 Apr;37(1):119-25]. Photo by Mitchell Hall.

Davis Phinney Foundation, Parkinson's disease and exercise

The Davis Phinney Foundation, located in Boulder, Colorado, USA, has just launched their "Every Victory Counts" Program designed to inform and empower people with Parkinson's Disease to live well. The cornerstone of the program is an "interactive manual co-authored by experts in the care of people with Parkinson’s with contributions from leading movement disorder experts." 

Founder Davis Phinney is a winner of the Olympic Bronze and Tour de France stages, who from the late 1970's until his retirement from professional cycling in 1993, achieved more wins – 328 victories in all – than any other US Cyclist. Along with Lance Armstrong and Greg Lemond, Phinney is one of only three Americans to win multiple stages of the Tour de France, the world's most prestigious bike race. In 2000, he was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s. 

The focus of this small foundation's mission emphasizes the support of exercise and speech programs that can have an immediate impact in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.  

In addition to this new initiative, the Foundation's site offers the results of an online survey funded last summer. Keep in mind that over the last decade or so there have been more than 20 research studies suggesting the benefits of exercise for those with Parkinson's disease. The survey results document where the Parkinson's patients acquired most of their information about exercise and well as their views on the benefits of exercise for their condition.  

For example, among Parkinson's patients, almost 30% of the time, exercise was not mentioned at diagnosis. Another 30% reported discussing exercise with their physicians, but they initiated the discussion about exercise based on their own personal research.  And to find out about exercise and its benefits on the lifestyle and health of someone with Parkinson's, 53% of the respondents said they reliec on the Internet, books and their own research.