Background This study aimed to determine how 12 weeks of regular exercise, including eccentric resistance exercise and combined exercise (aerobic + resistance exercise), affects sleep quality and mood in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. Methods Twenty-eight elderly individuals (13 males and 15 females) participated in this study. The participants were divided into three groups: the eccentric resistance exercise group (Re Ex, n = 10), the combined exercise group (A + Re Ex, n = 13), and the control group (n = 5). The 12-week exercise program was conducted 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), with two supervised sessions and one home-based session. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B) was used to evaluate mood. These assessments were conducted before and after the exercise program, as well as weekly throughout the 12 weeks. Results The two-way within-factor analysis of variance revealed a significant group × time interaction for the total PSQI score (p = 0.015), PSQI sleep latency (p = 0.028), and POMS-B vigor-activity (p = 0.013). In the A + Re Ex group, sleep quality significantly improved at week 10 (3.31 ± 2.36, p < 0.05), 11 (3.38 ± 3.07, p < 0.05), 12 (3.31 ± 2.98, p < 0.05), and post-intervention (3.08 ± 2.56, p < 0.05) compared to baseline (4.92 ± 2.84). Mood state scores over 12 weeks showed significant differences compared to baseline (16.23 ± 17.35) for the A + Re Ex group at weeks 1 (2.69 ± 11.00, p < 0.05), 2 (-0.46 ± 4.94, p < 0.01), 3 (0.85 ± 12.25, p < 0.01), 5 (2.23 ± 9.99, p < 0.05), and 10 (0.92 ± 4.54, p < 0.01). Similarly, significant differences in mood state scores were observed for the Re Ex group at weeks 2 (2.20 ± 8.07, p < 0.05), 4 (1.70 ± 6.06, p < 0.05), 6 (-0.10 ± 3.14, p < 0.05), 7 (2.20 ± 5.47, p < 0.05), 8 (0.70 ± 2.54, p < 0.05), 9 (3.20 ± 5.98, p < 0.05), 10 (2.00 ± 6.02, p < 0.05), 11 (1.20 ± 3.91, p < 0.05), 12 (-0.50 ± 1.58, p < 0.01), and post-intervention (-0.57 ± 5.97, p < 0.01) compared to baseline (14.10 ± 14.07). Conclusion Regular exercise, particularly a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises, can significantly enhance sleep quality and mood in elderly individuals with cognitive decline, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention.

The 12 weeks of regular exercise improves sleep quality and mood states in elderly with cognitive impairment

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发表日期：

2025年11月22日

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Eunjae Lee,
Hyo-Bum Kwak,
Seung-Taek Lim,
Dong-Ho Park

摘要

Background

This study aimed to determine how 12 weeks of regular exercise, including eccentric resistance exercise and combined exercise (aerobic + resistance exercise), affects sleep quality and mood in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment.

Methods

Twenty-eight elderly individuals (13 males and 15 females) participated in this study. The participants were divided into three groups: the eccentric resistance exercise group (Re Ex, n = 10), the combined exercise group (A + Re Ex, n = 13), and the control group (n = 5). The 12-week exercise program was conducted 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), with two supervised sessions and one home-based session. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B) was used to evaluate mood. These assessments were conducted before and after the exercise program, as well as weekly throughout the 12 weeks.

Results

The two-way within-factor analysis of variance revealed a significant group × time interaction for the total PSQI score (p = 0.015), PSQI sleep latency (p = 0.028), and POMS-B vigor-activity (p = 0.013). In the A + Re Ex group, sleep quality significantly improved at week 10 (3.31 ± 2.36, p < 0.05), 11 (3.38 ± 3.07, p < 0.05), 12 (3.31 ± 2.98, p < 0.05), and post-intervention (3.08 ± 2.56, p < 0.05) compared to baseline (4.92 ± 2.84). Mood state scores over 12 weeks showed significant differences compared to baseline (16.23 ± 17.35) for the A + Re Ex group at weeks 1 (2.69 ± 11.00, p < 0.05), 2 (-0.46 ± 4.94, p < 0.01), 3 (0.85 ± 12.25, p < 0.01), 5 (2.23 ± 9.99, p < 0.05), and 10 (0.92 ± 4.54, p < 0.01). Similarly, significant differences in mood state scores were observed for the Re Ex group at weeks 2 (2.20 ± 8.07, p < 0.05), 4 (1.70 ± 6.06, p < 0.05), 6 (-0.10 ± 3.14, p < 0.05), 7 (2.20 ± 5.47, p < 0.05), 8 (0.70 ± 2.54, p < 0.05), 9 (3.20 ± 5.98, p < 0.05), 10 (2.00 ± 6.02, p < 0.05), 11 (1.20 ± 3.91, p < 0.05), 12 (-0.50 ± 1.58, p < 0.01), and post-intervention (-0.57 ± 5.97, p < 0.01) compared to baseline (14.10 ± 14.07).

Conclusion

Regular exercise, particularly a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises, can significantly enhance sleep quality and mood in elderly individuals with cognitive decline, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention.