Cognitive Training Attenuates Decline in Physical Function Across 10 Years

Sprague, Briana N; Phillips, Christine B; Ross, Lesley A · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa072

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates whether cognitive training can attenuate age-related declines in physical function over a decade, addressing a gap in literature where long-term effects beyond immediate post-test assessments were largely unexamined. While exercise is the primary intervention for physical maintenance, many older adults disengage from it due to barriers like fear of falling. The authors hypothesized that cognitive training—specifically processing speed, memory, and reasoning—might offer sustained benefits for physical function without requiring continual physical engagement. The study also examined whether baseline cognitive self-efficacy or depressive symptoms moderated these training effects. The researchers utilized secondary data from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) randomized controlled trial, involving 2,802 community-dwelling older adults (average age 73.6). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three cognitive training arms (processing speed, memory, or reasoning) or a no-contact control group. Training consisted of ten 60- to 75-minute sessions over six weeks, with some participants receiving booster sessions. Physical function was assessed via grip strength (upper limb strength) and Turn 360 (complex lower limb function) at baseline and up to 10 years post-intervention. Anal included intention-to-treat (ITT) models and dosage models based on the number of sessions completed, controlling for demographics and baseline health. Results indicated no significant ITT effects for any training assignment on either physical function measure. However, dosage analyses revealed that greater engagement in all three training types was associated with attenuated decline in Turn 360 performance over 10 years (p < .001 for all groups), suggesting a protective effect on complex lower limb function. There was no significant transfer of training gains to grip strength. Furthermore, baseline depressive symptoms moderated the relationship between processing speed training dosage and Turn 360; individuals with higher baseline depressive symptoms experienced the greatest benefits from additional training sessions. Cognitive self-efficacy did not moderate outcomes for any training type. This is the first study to demonstrate that cognitive training can attenuate declines in complex physical function across a 10-year period. The findings suggest that cognitive interventions, particularly when adhered to, may serve as a viable non-exercise strategy for maintaining mobility in older adults. The moderation by depressive symptoms highlights that psychological factors may influence responsiveness to cognitive training, potentially impacting motivation or neural recruitment. These results support the potential for cognitive training to reduce downstream risks associated with physical decline, such as falls and disability, in community-dwelling populations.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• cognitive aging