Investigation of the effect of kinetic brain exercise program on motor skills and cognitive functions of elderly individuals

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the changes in motor skills, cognitive skills and Alpha-Theta brain waves of a 24-session kinetic brain exercise program which lasted 3 days (45 minutes each day) in a week of an 8-week period in elderly adults. Method: The research was carried out with 38 participants with the mean age of the experimental group (n=19, 66.66±2.03 years) and the control group (n=19, 66.17±2.31 years). Socio-demographic, geriatric depression (GD), standardized mini mental test (SMMT) and SF36 quality of life questionnaire were applied to the participants. Anthropometric measurements of both groups were taken before and after the study. The hand-eye coordination of the experimental and control groups was tested by using the Lafayette two-arm coordinaton test. Test and also the reaction times of the same groups were tested by using the New Test 2000 Test Battery.60 second one single leg balance test protocol was applied for the balance measurements. Attention, that is one of the cognitive skills, were measured with stroop color word test (SCWT) and spatial perception (SP) and the memory skills were also tested by applying PEBL computer-based software test. Changes in alpha-theta waves were recorded by means of EEG (Emotiv EPOC) device. The tests were repeated after a 24-session kinetic brain training program. Results: There was a significant difference in the duration and number of errors of the pre-test and post-test values of the hand-eye coordination and SCWT variables in the experimental and control groups. When the balance variable pre-post test values were examined, a significant difference was observed in favor of the experimental group. A significant difference was founded between the pre test and post test values in AF3 Alpha and AF4 Alpha brain waves in the EEG frequency recordings of the experimental group. Conclusion: When the current study is examined, it can be said that the kinetic brain exercise program positively improves some motoric and cognitive skills of older adults. Keywords: kinetic brain exercise program, cognitive skill, motor skill coordination