Effects of Tai Chi on working memory in older adults: evidence from combined fNIRS and ERP
Author: Chen Wang1, Yuanfu Dai1, Yuan Yang2, Xiaoxia Yuan1, Mengjie Zhang3, Jia Zeng1, Xiaoke Zhong1, Jiao Meng1, Changhao Jiang1,4
Affiliation:
1 The Center of Neuroscience and Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.
2 College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
3 School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
4 School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Aging Neurosci
Date published: 2023 Jun 29
Other:
Volume ID: 15 , Pages: 1206891 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1206891. , Word Count: 164
Objective:
The study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on working memory in older adults using ERP-fNIRS.
Method:
Fifty older adults were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention or a control group receiving regular daily activities. Working memory was assessed using the n-back task before and after the intervention, and spatial and temporal components of neural function underlying the n-back task were measured using ERP-fNIRS.
Results:
The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in reaction time and accuracy on the 2-back task and showed higher activation levels in the R-DLPFC. Additionally, the Tai Chi group displayed significant increases in P3 amplitude in the overall n-back task.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that Tai Chi interventions can enhance working memory in older adults, as evidenced by increasing neural activity and improving HbO in the R-DLPFC during the 2-back task.
Keywords: ERP; Tai Chi; fNIRS; older adults; working memory.
PMID: 37455937 PMCID: PMC10340122 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1206891
BACK
