Effects of Combined Physical Movement Activity and Multifaceted Cognitive Training in Older People with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder in a Rural Community: A Randomized Control Trial

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Cognitive deterioration in older people with mild neurocognitive disorders (mNCD) increases the risk of progress to major NCD. Health professionals worldwide are trying to find strategies for prevention. There is a limited number of studies that deal with cultural conditions in northern Thailand. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of physical movement activity and multifaceted cognitive training on cognitive function in older people with mNCD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A randomized control trial involving 70 mNCD people, according to DSM-5 criteria, was conducted on an intervention group and a control group (<i>n</i> = 35 each). The program for the intervention group included 24 sessions (twice a week). The outcome measures on cognitive function were assessed before and after the intervention by means of composite cognitive measures for older people, i.e., the Trail-Making Test (TMT), Digit Span (DS), Verbal Fluency (VF), Word-List Learning (WLL), and Block Design (BD). <b><i>Results:</i></b> The combined intervention enhanced cognitive function. TMT-A was significantly improved in the intervention group. There were significant improvements in DS sequence scores, letter verbal fluency (LVF), and category verbal fluency (CVF). Comparing the groups, there were significant differences in LVF including immediate and delayed recall. BD improved significantly in the intervention group. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The combined intervention appeared to be effective in delaying/preventing cognitive deterioration and cognitive functional decline in people with mNCD. Further studies on a variation of treatments suited to cultural conditions and their effects are needed. Trials in other communities are also recommended.