Effect of a Kinect-based exercise game on improving executive cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly: Case control study

Background: decrease of dual-task (dt) ability is known to be one of the risk factors for falls. we developed a new game concept,dual-task tai chi (dttc),using microsoft's motion-capture device kinect,and demonstrated that the dttc test can quantitatively evaluate various functions that are known risk factors for falling in elderly adults. moreover,dt training has been attracting attention as a way to improve balance and dt ability. however,only a few studies have reported that it improves cognitive performance. objective: the purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether or not a 12-week program of dttc training would effectively improve cognitive functions. methods: this study examined cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults before and after 12 weeks of dttc training (training group [tg]) or standardized training (control group [cg]). primary end points were based on the difference in cognitive functions between the tg and the cg. cognitive functions were evaluated using the trail-making test (part a and part b) and verbal fluency test. results: a total of 41 elderly individuals (tg: n=26,cg: n=15) participated in this study and their cognitive functions were assessed before and after dttc training. significant differences were observed between the two groups with significant group × time interactions for the executive cognitive function measure,the delta-trail-making test (part b?part a; f1,36=4.94,p=.03; tg: pre mean 48.8 [sd 43.9],post mean 42.2 [sd 29.0]; cg: pre mean 49.5 [sd 51.8],post mean 64.9 [sd 54.7]). conclusions: the results suggest that dttc training is effective for improving executive cognitive functions.