For people with mild cognitive impairment, don’t be surprised if your health care provider prescribes exercise rather than medication. According to a new guideline released by the American Academy of Neurology, medical practitioners should recommend twice-weekly exercise to patients with mild cognitive impairment to improve memory and thinking. The recommendation is published in the December 27, 2017 online issue of the journal Neurology.
Exercising twice a week may improve memory and thinking ability in patients with mild cognitive impairment, according to a new guideline released by the American Academy of Neurology. Image credit: Ingrid Holiho.
Mild cognitive impairment is a medical condition that is common with aging. While it is linked to problems with thinking ability and memory, it is not the same as dementia.
People with mild cognitive impairment have milder symptoms. They may struggle to complete complex tasks or have difficulty understanding information they have read, whereas people with dementia have trouble with daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing and eating.
However, there is strong evidence that mild cognitive impairment can lead to dementia.
“Regular physical exercise has long been shown to have heart health benefits, and now we can say exercise also may help improve memory for people with mild cognitive impairment,” said lead author Professor Ronald Petersen, a researcher at the Mayo Clinic and a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.
“What’s good for your heart can be good for your brain.”
According to the guideline, doctors should recommend that people with mild cognitive impairment exercise regularly as part of an overall approach to managing their symptoms.
Although long-term studies have not been conducted, six-month studies suggest twice-weekly workouts may improve memory.
The guideline states that there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment. Moreover, there are no high-quality, long-term studies that suggest drugs or dietary changes can improve thinking ability or delay memory problems in people with mild cognitive impairment.
Another guideline update says clinicians may recommend cognitive training for people with mild cognitive impairment.
Cognitive training uses repetitive memory and reasoning exercises that may be computer-assisted or done in person individually or in small groups. There is weak evidence that cognitive training may improve measures of cognitive function.
Professor Petersen and colleagues developed the recommendations after reviewing all available studies on mild cognitive impairment.
“Worldwide, more than 6% of people in their 60s have mild cognitive impairment, and the condition becomes more common with age. More than 37% of people age 85 and older have it,” they said.
“If you or others have noticed that you are forgetful and are having trouble with complex tasks, you should see your doctor to be evaluated and not assume that it is just part of normal aging,” Professor Petersen added.
“Sometimes memory problems are a side effect of medications, sleep disturbances, depression, or other causes that can be treated. It is important to meet with your doctor to determine the root cause. Early action may keep memory problems from getting worse.”
The researchers encourage people to do aerobic exercise: walk briskly, jog, whatever you like to do, for 150 minutes a week — 30 minutes, five times or 50 minutes, three times.
“The level of exertion should be enough to work up a bit of a sweat but doesn’t need to be so rigorous that you can’t hold a conversation,” they said.
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Ronald C. Petersen et al. Practice guideline update summary: Mild cognitive impairment. Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, published online December 27, 2017; doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004826
