Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism

IntroductionStudies have revealed that Tai Chi can enhance cognitive functions among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the precise mechanisms underlying this improvement remain elusive.MethodsConsequently, we conducted a study involving 54 elderly inpatients with MCI residing i...

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Main Authors: Lin Lin, Yao-Xi He, Quan Wen, Jia-Yang Liu, Yu Dai, Yu-Zhe Fei, Hang Li, Chang-Qing Li, Huan Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1435996/full
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author Lin Lin
Lin Lin
Yao-Xi He
Quan Wen
Jia-Yang Liu
Yu Dai
Yu-Zhe Fei
Hang Li
Chang-Qing Li
Huan Zhou
Huan Zhou
author_facet Lin Lin
Lin Lin
Yao-Xi He
Quan Wen
Jia-Yang Liu
Yu Dai
Yu-Zhe Fei
Hang Li
Chang-Qing Li
Huan Zhou
Huan Zhou
author_sort Lin Lin
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionStudies have revealed that Tai Chi can enhance cognitive functions among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the precise mechanisms underlying this improvement remain elusive.MethodsConsequently, we conducted a study involving 54 elderly inpatients with MCI residing in a combined medical and elderly care facility in Chengdu, who were randomly divided into three groups: a control group engaging in daily living activities, a Tai Chi group that performed Tai Chi exercises in addition to control group activities, and a walking group that undertook walking activities as a supplement to the control group regimen. The intervention period lasted for 24 weeks, comprising 12 weeks of exercise and an additional 12 weeks of follow-up. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and biochemical assessments (measuring brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, and platelet factor 4, PF4) were administered to investigate overall cognitive function, executive function, memory capacity, and changes in serum concentrations of BDNF and PF4 before, after, and during the follow-up period. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0, with statistical methods encompassing descriptive analysis, ANOVA, rank-sum test, repeated measures ANOVA, and generalized estimating equations.ResultsOur findings indicated that after 24 weeks of intervention, the Tai Chi group exhibited improvements in cognitive function, executive function, and memory compared to the control group. This enhancement may be attributed to an increased expression of serum BDNF.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study underscores the potential of Tai Chi in ameliorating cognitive function among elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, thereby offering significant implications for clinical prevention and treatment strategies targeting this condition.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-ae210540c00c48caa3f26a242302cd2e2025-08-20T02:08:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience1663-43652025-04-011710.3389/fnagi.2025.14359961435996Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanismLin Lin0Lin Lin1Yao-Xi He2Quan Wen3Jia-Yang Liu4Yu Dai5Yu-Zhe Fei6Hang Li7Chang-Qing Li8Huan Zhou9Huan Zhou10West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaSchool of Elderly Health/Collaborative Innovation Center of Sichuan for Elderly Care and Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaChengdu Eighth People’s Hospital (Geriatric Hospital of Chengdu Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaChengdu Eighth People’s Hospital (Geriatric Hospital of Chengdu Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaChengdu Eighth People’s Hospital (Geriatric Hospital of Chengdu Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaChengdu Eighth People’s Hospital (Geriatric Hospital of Chengdu Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaChengdu Eighth People’s Hospital (Geriatric Hospital of Chengdu Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaHealthy Aging Research Center, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaIntroductionStudies have revealed that Tai Chi can enhance cognitive functions among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the precise mechanisms underlying this improvement remain elusive.MethodsConsequently, we conducted a study involving 54 elderly inpatients with MCI residing in a combined medical and elderly care facility in Chengdu, who were randomly divided into three groups: a control group engaging in daily living activities, a Tai Chi group that performed Tai Chi exercises in addition to control group activities, and a walking group that undertook walking activities as a supplement to the control group regimen. The intervention period lasted for 24 weeks, comprising 12 weeks of exercise and an additional 12 weeks of follow-up. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and biochemical assessments (measuring brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, and platelet factor 4, PF4) were administered to investigate overall cognitive function, executive function, memory capacity, and changes in serum concentrations of BDNF and PF4 before, after, and during the follow-up period. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0, with statistical methods encompassing descriptive analysis, ANOVA, rank-sum test, repeated measures ANOVA, and generalized estimating equations.ResultsOur findings indicated that after 24 weeks of intervention, the Tai Chi group exhibited improvements in cognitive function, executive function, and memory compared to the control group. This enhancement may be attributed to an increased expression of serum BDNF.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study underscores the potential of Tai Chi in ameliorating cognitive function among elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, thereby offering significant implications for clinical prevention and treatment strategies targeting this condition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1435996/fullTai ChiMCIBDNFcognitive functionPF4
spellingShingle Lin Lin
Lin Lin
Yao-Xi He
Quan Wen
Jia-Yang Liu
Yu Dai
Yu-Zhe Fei
Hang Li
Chang-Qing Li
Huan Zhou
Huan Zhou
Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Tai Chi
MCI
BDNF
cognitive function
PF4
title Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
title_full Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
title_fullStr Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
title_short Evaluation of the efficacy of Tai Chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
title_sort evaluation of the efficacy of tai chi on the cognitive function of patients with mild cognitive dysfunction and research on its mechanism
topic Tai Chi
MCI
BDNF
cognitive function
PF4
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1435996/full
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