Scientists and health professionals gush about the benefits of exercise in study after study, and new research from the American Academy of Neurology is no exception.
The organization updated its guidelines for those with mild cognitive impairment Wednesday, and published them online in Neurology. The condition — which people develop as they age — involves issues with thinking and memory. It affects more than 6 percent of people in their 60s, and it increases to 37 percent for those age 85 and older.
Among the guidelines:
— Doctors should tell people with mild cognitive impairment to exercise consistently, as six-month studies have indicated exercising twice a week could improve memory.
— Medical professionals can suggest cognitive training for people, though the evidence isn’t strong that this could be beneficial for improvement.
Mild cognitive impairment should not be confused with dementia — mild cognitive impairment comes with milder symptoms — though evidence has shown it can escalate to that point. Those with dementia may have trouble with daily tasks like getting dressed and making meals, but with mild cognitive impairment, people tend to have more difficulty than others their age remembering things like appointments or where they keep their car keys, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The guidelines note that no Food and Drug Administration-approved medications exist for mild cognitive impairment treatment, nor are high-quality, long-term studies in the works that imply drugs or dietary changes could aid people who have the condition.
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Research: Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients Should Exercise Twice a Week originally appeared on usnews.com
