Discussion
T2D, cognitive impairment, cognitive and memory functions, MCI, dementia, diabetes
DIABETES
To our knowledge, this randomized clinical trial is the first to show that tai chi chuan, a mind-body exercise, improved cognitive function for older adults with T2D and MCI compared with fitness walking. Among the participants, the MoCA and MQ scores in the tai chi chuan group were significantly higher than in the fitness walking and control groups at 36 weeks. Also, the tai chi chuan group had significantly better effects on AGE:sRAGE ratio and fasting blood glucose levels than the fitness walking group. Twenty-four weeks of tai chi chuan training significantly improved attention function in the tai chi chuan group compared with the fitness walking group.Previously, the efficacy of tai chi chuan for patients with T2D and MCI was unclear. Even though physical activity was thought to be beneficial for cognitive function in patients with diabetes,A previous studyThis randomized clinical trial found that tai chi chuan could improve global cognitive and memory functions, consistent with recently published systematic reviews and meta-analysis.We conducted a prespecified subgroup analysis of factors associated with T2D and cognitive impairment. The results showed that at 36 weeks, the tai chi chuan group performed better than the fitness walking group in both the global cognitive function and memory function for women and participants with BMI of 24.00 or less, T2D duration greater than 10 years, and 1 or fewer comorbidities. This finding is important because previous research has shown that women have a higher prevalence of dementia than men.