Mild cognitive impairment is the intermediate step between mild cognitive impairment and dementia, often associated with Type 2 diabetes; approximately 44% of those living with this form of the disease also exhibit mild cognitive impairment. Tai Chi Chuan is a mind-body practice combining slow, purposeful physical movements with meditation for its practitioners.
Studies have demonstrated that using simplified 24-form Tai Chi Chuan can significantly improve physical markers and cognitive functioning for those living with Type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment, when compared to a group participating in traditional fitness walking over 36 weeks. Tai Chi is thus potentially an effective exercise program to mitigate its adverse effects as well as mild cognitive impairment leading to dementia.
After 36 weeks, it was noticed that those participating in Tai Chi displayed more markers of improvement compared to their counterparts from control and fitness walking groups; however, no significant differences existed among groups after 24 weeks, suggesting improvements could only take effect after this point in time.
This study found Tai Chi more effective than fitness walking at helping to enhance cognition for older individuals with Type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment.
All groups were educated on how to manage Type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise, including the benefits of Tai Chi or fitness walking as ways of helping treat the disorder. Individuals in all but the control group with no lifestyle changes participated in either fitness walking or Tai Chi sessions for 60 minutes three times every week under supervision by health professionals.
At first, changes were measured as baseline changes. They were then repeated at 24 weeks and 36 weeks using fasting blood glucose levels as well as metabolic markers and MoCA scores to provide an international comparison for cognitive function. MoCA scales between 0-30 with higher scores representing greater cognitive ability.
Tai Chi group members saw an average MoCA score increase of 3.29 points by the end of 36 weeks compared with where they started at.
The fitness walking group only improved by 2.32 points over 36 weeks; during that period its improvement slowed significantly to 0.29 points compared with an increase of -0.68 in Tai Chi group.
