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Effects of aerobic exercise and computer-based cognitive training on cognition, functional independence, quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized trial
Abdur Raheem Khan, Aafreen Aafreen, Ashfaque Khan, G. Shankar Ganesh, Monira Ibrahim Aldhahi, Mohammed M. Alshehri, Mohammad Abu Shaphe. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2026-03-16
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia, characterized by measurable cognitive decline without significant loss of functional independence. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly aerobic exercise and cognitive training, have demonstrated potential benefits; however, their combined effects and underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain inadequately explored. Objective To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise combined with computer-based cognitive training on cognitive function, functional independence, health-related quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with MCI. Methods This assessor-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial included 60 older adults (60–85 years) diagnosed with MCI. Participants were randomized to either an intervention group receiving aerobic exercise plus computer-based cognitive training ( n = 28) or an active comparison group receiving aerobic exercise with conventional cognitive training ( n = 28). Interventions were delivered over 12 weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). Primary and secondary outcomes included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Barthel Index (BI), Short Form-12 (SF-12), and salivary cortisol levels. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in cognitive function, functional independence, quality of life, and cortisol levels over time ( p < 0.05). The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in MOCA scores at 16-weeks ( p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels differed significantly between groups at 12 weeks ( p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation between cortisol levels and cognitive performance was observed at follow-up in both groups. Conclusion Combining aerobic exercise with cognitive training improves clinical outcomes in older adults with MCI and may influence stress-related neurobiological pathways. This multimodal approach represents a promising, non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating age-related cognitive decline.
Key findings
- Background Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia, characterized by measurable cognitive decline without significant loss of functional independence.
- Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly aerobic exercise and cognitive training, have demonstrated potential benefits; however, their combined effects and underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain inadequately explored.
- Results Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in cognitive function, functional independence, quality of life, and cortisol levels over time ( p < 0.05).
- The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in MOCA scores at 16-weeks ( p < 0.05).
- Salivary cortisol levels differed significantly between groups at 12 weeks ( p < 0.05).
Why it matters
This randomized trial compared aerobic exercise combined with computer-based cognitive training against aerobic exercise with conventional cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It tests effects on cognition, functional independence, quality of life and salivary cortisol, but it does not show that these interventions treat, cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designrandomized controlled trial
- Participants28
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 56/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: journal h-index 174 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 28 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Mohammad Abu Shaphe: h-index 14 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Jazan University: institution h-index 209 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41918619) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 56 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069
- PubMed: 41918619
- Original source →
- Free full text: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Khan, A. R., Aafreen, A., Khan, A., Ganesh, G. S., Aldhahi, M. I., Alshehri, M. M., et al. (2026). Effects of aerobic exercise and computer-based cognitive training on cognition, functional independence, quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized trial. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069
Vancouver
Khan AR, Aafreen A, Khan A, Ganesh GS, Aldhahi MI, Alshehri MM, et al. Effects of aerobic exercise and computer-based cognitive training on cognition, functional independence, quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized trial. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2026. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069. PMID: 41918619.
BibTeX
@article{khan2026-41918619,
author = {Khan, Abdur Raheem and Aafreen, Aafreen and Khan, Ashfaque and Ganesh, G. Shankar and Aldhahi, Monira Ibrahim and Alshehri, Mohammed M. and Shaphe, Mohammad Abu},
title = {{Effects of aerobic exercise and computer-based cognitive training on cognition, functional independence, quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized trial}},
journal = {Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069},
pmid = {41918619},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069}
}
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