Effect of Combined Anagram Training and Cardiac Exercise on Cognitive Function of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes.

Background: The decline in cognitive function occurs faster in the elderly who live in a nursing home than at home. Cognitive decline can interfere with the elderly carrying out their activities. The appropriate intervention is needed to improve the cognitive function of the elderly living in nursing homes. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined anagram training and cardiac exercise on cognitive function in the elderly living in nursing homes. Method: A nonrandomized clinical trial study was conducted. Sixty participants in four nursing homes were included in a combined intervention group (n=30) to join cardiac exercise and anagram training three times a week for 12 weeks, and in a single intervention group to join anagram training (n=30). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment before and 12 weeks after the intervention. A within-group analysis (Wilcoxon test) and intergroup analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) were used to evaluate the effects of combination intervention on cognitive function. Results: Although both groups demonstrated a significant global cognitive function and sub-cognitive function such as executive, attention, recall, and orientation cognitive function improvement before and after the intervention (P<0.05), the combined intervention group showed a much more significant improvement compared to the single intervention group (P<0,05), except for the orientation cognitive function (P=0.674). Implications for Practice: The combination of anagram and cardiac exercise could be used as an intervention to improve cognitive function in elderly living in nursing homes.