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Differential Improvement in Memory and Executive Functions: Personalized Exercise versus Acupuncture for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Stroke-prone Individuals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Objective: This study compared the effects of personalized exercise versus acupuncture on multidimensional cognitive function in individuals at high risk for stroke with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A randomized controlled trial enrolled 200 stroke-risk adults aged 50-80 years. Ninety participants diagnosed with MCI (MMSE, HIS, CDR criteria) were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 30), acupuncture (n = 30), or control (n = 30) groups. Interventions lasted 6 months. Cognitive outcomes (MMSE, Raven's Progressive Matrices, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Animal Fluency, Rey-Osterrieth test, Stroop test) were assessed before and after intervention. Multivariate regression identified risk factors for MCI. ANOVA was used for group comparisons. Results: < 0.001), with larger benefits in those with baseline MMSE ≤ 20. Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes are key risk factors for MCI in stroke-prone individuals. Exercise yields greater improvement in global cognition and memory, whereas acupuncture is more effective for enhancing attention and executive function. Both modalities benefit verbal fluency, particularly in lower-functioning participants.

Source: Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience

DOI: 10.9758/cpn.25.1321

Authors: Yaoyao Xing, Haoran Hu, Qingping Ma, Jianjun Yang, Xin Wang

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province

Award: G559437720