This study aims to investigate the effects of dual-task physical–cognitive the training on body balance (BB), gait performance (GP), lower limb muscle strength (LEMS), and cognitive performance (CP) in a group of cognitively normal older adult women (n = 44; 66.20 ± 4.05 years). Of these, 22 were randomly allocated to the dual-task training (DT) group, and 22 participated in the control group (CG). Assessments were performed at baseline, after 12 weeks of intervention, and at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up, using the following instruments: Timed Up & Go (TUG), Timed Up & Go manual (TUGm), Timed Up & Go cognitive (TUGc), Balance Test (TEC), sit-to-stand test (STS), and verbal fluency test (VF). After 12 weeks of DT training, participants showed a significant time × group interaction in all motor assessments (BB, GP, LEMS), as well as in three cognitive tests (VF-grouping, VF-exchange, VF-total). No time–group interaction effect was indicated for the VF-category test. At all evaluation times, CG members maintained constant physical and cognitive performance. We conclude that 12 weeks of physical–cognitive DT training was effective in promoting BB, GP, and LEMS, as well as CP in cognitively normal older adult women, with lasting effects up to 12 weeks after the intervention.

This study aims to examine the effects of 12 weeks of physical-cognitive dual-task training on cognition, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in older women (n = 44; 66.20 ± 4.05 years). Of these, 22 were randomly allocated to the dual-task training (DT) group, and 22 participated in the activities of the education control group (CG). Assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of 12 weeks of intervention, and after 12 weeks of follow-up using the following instruments: Trail Making Test parts A and B, ΔTMT (B-A), Stroop test parts A, B, C, and ΔStroop (C-B), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), sleep quality (PSQI), quality of life (SF-36). The results showed a positive and significant time-group interaction for two cognitive domains (TMT and Stroop). No time-group interaction effect was indicated for depression and sleep quality perception. There was a positive and significant interaction effect between time and group for three SF-36 subcategories (physical function, physical role, and general health). Our training protocol was not able to improve depressive symptoms and sleep quality. On the other hand, DT training was able to promote the performance of executive functions and the physical and mental component summary of the quality of life with lasting effects of up to 12 weeks after the intervention.

Background/Objectives: Cognitive decline has been increasingly linked to cardiac autonomic regulation; however, its specific associations with cognitive domains, such as information processing speed and executive function, remain unclear. This preliminary study examined the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and cognitive performance in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 older adults (aged ≥60 years) attending a university hospital outpatient clinic. Participants were classified as without cognitive impairment (WCI) or cognitively impaired and not demented (CIND) based on neuropsychological assessments. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at rest, focusing on the time-domain parameters (SDNN, rMSSD, and pNN50). Trail making test parts A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B) were used to assess information processing speed and executive function, respectively. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were performed, adjusting for confounding variables including age, sex, and comorbidities. Results: Participants in the CIND group had significantly lower HRV indices than those in the WCI group (SDNN, p < 0.05, d = 0.44; rMSSD, p < 0.05, d = 0.39; pNN50, p < 0.05, d = 0.40), indicating reduced parasympathetic modulation. Higher HRV values were observed in individuals with preserved processing speed and executive function. Specifically, pNN50 was significantly associated with processing speed (p = 0.04), and SDNN was significantly correlated with executive function (p = 0.02). These associations persisted even after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Reduced cardiac autonomic modulation, especially lower parasympathetic activity, is significantly associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Lower pNN50 values were correlated with slower information processing speed, and lower SDNN was associated with poorer executive function. These findings support the potential use of HRV as a physiological biomarker to detect cognitive changes during ageing.

Early detection of cognitive decline in older adults is essential for implementing timely interventions. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE^®) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA©) in identifying cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults, while considering the effect of educational level. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted with 90 individuals aged 60 years or older, classified into cognitively preserved and cognitively impaired groups using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Cognitive performance was assessed using the MMSE and MoCA, with results analyzed using both standard and education-adjusted cut-off scores. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The MoCA demonstrated superior discriminative ability compared to the MMSE, with a significantly larger area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.943 vs. 0.826; p < 0.001), higher sensitivity (90.2% vs. 78.4%), and higher specificity (87.2% vs. 76.9%). When education-adjusted cut-off scores were applied, the MoCA achieved markedly improved diagnostic accuracy (87.8%) compared to the MMSE (71.1%), with stronger agreement with CDR classifications (κ = 0.746 vs. κ = −0.132). These findings demonstrate that the MoCA is more sensitive in detecting cognitive impairment and should be considered the preferred screening tool in clinical and research settings, particularly when appropriate educational adjustments are applied.

Background. Ageing is associated with structural changes in brain regions and functional decline in cognitive domains. Noninvasive tools for identifying structural damage in the brains of older adults are relevant for early treatment. Aims. This study aims to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA©) in identifying gray and white matter brain damage in older individuals with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Methods. Ninety older adults (62 women) with an average age of 69 ± 7 years were enrolled and categorized as having no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or moderate cognitive impairment (MoCI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess the number, volume, and distribution of brain damage. The Fazekas and Scheltens scales were applied to the brain MRIs, and inferential statistics were employed to compare variables among the groups. Results. Cognitive impairment was observed in 56.7% of the participants (95% confidence interval (CI): 46.4–66.4%), with thirty-six older adults (40%) classified as MCI and 15 (17%) as MoCI. Cognitive impairment and medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy were found to be associated ( ), exhibiting higher mean volume scales of the MTL atrophied area in the MoCI group ( ). The MMSE accurately revealed MTL atrophy based on the Scheltens ( ) and Fazekas ( ) scales. At the same time, the MoCA accurately identified periventricular white matter (PWM) abnormalities according to the Fazekas scale ( ). Conclusions. The MMSE and MoCA screening tools effectively identified gray and white matter brain damage in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Lower MMSE scores are associated with MTL atrophy and lesions, and lower MoCA scores are related to PWM lesions. The concurrent use of MMSE and MoCA is recommended for assessing structural changes in distinct brain regions.