Tai Chi Improves Cognition and Plasma BDNF in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Is this part of your doctors protocol to prevent your likely dementia? Does your doctor have a protocol? Or even worse, does s/he even know that a protocol for dementia prevention is needed post-stroke? The answer to that question tells you their incompetency.

Your chances of getting dementia.

1. A documented 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study?   May 2012.
2. Then this study came out and seems to have a range from 17-66%. December 2013.
3. A 20% chance in this research.   July 2013.

Tai Chi Improves Cognition and Plasma BDNF in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial  

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Somporn Sungkarat, PhD¹

Somporn Sungkarat

1Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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, Sirinun Boripuntakul, PhD¹

Sirinun Boripuntakul

1Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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, Sirinart Kumfu, PhD¹

Sirinart Kumfu

1Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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Stephen R. Lord, PhD²

Stephen R. Lord

2University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
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, Nipon Chattipakorn, MD, PhD¹

Nipon Chattipakorn

1Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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First Published January 20, 2018 Research Article

https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968317753682

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Article Information

Article first published online: January 20, 2018

https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968317753682

Somporn Sungkarat, PhD¹, Sirinun Boripuntakul, PhD¹, Sirinart Kumfu, PhD¹, Stephen R. Lord, PhD², Nipon Chattipakorn, MD, PhD¹

¹Chiang Mai University, Thailand

²University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia

Corresponding Author: Somporn Sungkarat, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intrawarorot Rd, Sripoom District, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. Email: somporn.sungkarat@cmu.ac.th

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Abstract

Background. Effects of Tai Chi (TC) on specific cognitive function and mechanisms by which TC may improve cognition in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) remain unknown.
Objective. To examine the effects of TC on cognitive functions and plasma biomarkers (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) in a-MCI.  
Methods. A total of 66 older adults with a-MCI (mean age = 67.9 years) were randomized to either a TC (n = 33) or a control group (n = 33). Participants in the TC group learned TC with a certified instructor and then practiced at home for 50 min/session, 3 times/wk for 6 months. The control group received educational material that covered information related to cognition. The primary outcome was cognitive performance, including Logical Memory (LM) delayed recall, Block Design, Digit Span, and Trail Making Test B minus A (TMT B-A). The secondary outcomes were plasma biomarkers, including BDNF, TNF-α, and IL-10.  
Results. At the end of the trial, performance on the LM and TMT B-A was significantly better in the TC group compared with the control group after adjusting for age, gender, and education (P < .05). Plasma BDNF level was significantly increased for the TC group, whereas the other outcome measures were similar between the 2 groups after adjusting for age and gender (P < .05). Conclusions. TC training significantly improved memory and the mental switching component of executive function in older adults with a-MCI, possibly via an upregulation of BDNF.