The effect of a psychomotor intervention on electroencephalography and neuropsychological performances in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment

Aim The aim of this pilot study was to examine the acute effect of a psychomotor intervention (PMI) on auditory-verbal memory, emotional state, and electrocortical activity recorded by electroencephalography on subjectively healthy older adults (sHE) and older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCIs). Methods Eleven MCIs and 11 sHE underwent a single 45-min PMI. Resting state electroencephalography, the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, MoodMeter (R), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were compared between groups and pre- and post-PMI. Results Electroencephalography current source density and activity within the theta frequency band were higher in MCIs than in sHE at baseline, and brain frequency had a tendency to decrease in MCIs after training. Both groups showed improvement on the auditory-verbal memory test. Only among MCIs were there increases in perceived physical state and psychological strain and an improvement in negative affect. Conclusions Our findings suggest that acute psychomotor activity may be more effective for MCIs than for sHE. It supports the notion that PMI does have functional influences on the central nervous level and therefore might prevent and treat cognitive, psychological, and psychiatric symptoms of people with mild cognitive impairment.