Effects of a Cardiac Sports Rehabilitation Program on Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients after Myocardial Infarction.

Purpose: Although cardiac rehabilitation is associated with numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and a lower mortality rate, the current challenge is to examine whether cardiac rehabilitation can also provide cognitive benefits. This study was conducted to determine the effects of a cardiac sports rehabilitation program (CSP) on cognitive function in elderly patients. Methods: Twenty-one male patients after myocardial infarction (MI) (mean age: 68.8 years, mean interval time after a MI 42.1 months) completed this study. The CSP group (n=11) practiced combined Tai Chi and table tennis training once a week together with conventional exercise training for 1 year. The control group (n=10) carried out conventional exercise training only. Cognitive function was measured using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and 1 year later. Results: At baseline, the MMSE score and other clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. After 1 year, the CSP group showed a slight increase in the MMSE score (from 26.1 +/- 1.92 to 27.3 +/- 2.81, p=0.153), while the control group showed a significant decrease (from 27.0 +/- 2.00 to 25.4 +/- 3.27, p=0.035). Conclusions: Supervised CSP may have implications for the prevention of cognitive decline in elderly patients after MI