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Reduced physical activity linked to decline in attention, executive function in patients with HF
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Reductions in daily physical activity predicted acute decline in attention and executive function in patients with HF. However, researchers found no association between reduced physical activity and decline in memory or language.
Previous research demonstrated a link between physical activity and cognition in patients with HF, but it was poorly understood due to limitations including single-time assessments of physical activity, so the researchers examined changes in objectively measured physical activity and cognition for a period of time, according to background information in the study.
Michael L. Alosco, MA, from the department of psychological sciences at Kent State University, Ohio, and colleagues enrolled 57 patients with HF (mean age, 70 years; 40.4% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 41.52%) in the study. At baseline and 12 weeks, participants completed psychosocial self-report measures and a neuropsychological battery, and wore an accelerometer for 7 days.
At baseline, participants had a high rate of physical inactivity, spending an average of 597.83 (standard deviation, 75.91) minutes per day being sedentary. According to step counts, 36.8% of patients were sedentary, 43.9% had limited physical activity and 19.3% were physically active. All but six patients spent no time in vigorous activity.
At 12 weeks, the mean sedentary time was 583.32 (standard deviation, 62.91) minutes per day, and step count declined during the study period (P=.01), with a trend toward a decline in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (P=.105), the researchers found.
At baseline, 14% of participants had a T-score less than 35 on the attention/executive function composite of the cognitive test performance, 10.5% had this score on the memory composite and 5.3% had this score on the language composite. At 12 weeks, 10.5% had a T-score less than 35 on the attention/executive function composite, 12.3% had this score on the memory composite and 3.5% had this score on the language composite.
The researchers performed hierarchical regression analyses for baseline attention/executive function, sex, baseline LVEF, and baseline and 12-week Beck Depression Inventory II score. They found that the difference score for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity predicted changes in 12-week attention/executive function (beta=0.22; P=.04); there was a trend toward difference score for light intensity physical activity predicting changes in 12-week attention/executive function (beta=0.19; P=.08); and decreases in physical activity from baseline to 12 weeks later predicted declines in attention/executive function.
The researchers found no longitudinal associations between any activity intensity indices and memory or language (P>.05 for all).
“Prospective studies that employ extended follow-ups are needed to confirm these findings, elucidate mechanisms and determine whether increases in daily [physical activity] can attenuate risk for cognitive decline and/or dementia in patients with HF,” Alosco and colleagues wrote.
Disclosure: The study was funded in part by grants from the NIH. The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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