Estimulação cerebral não-invasiva e exercícios físicos impactam variáveis cognitivas de idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve

The study verified the effect of brain stimulation associated with physical exercises with high cognitive demand in cognitive variables and brain activity of aged with MCI. 18 elderly of both genders, age equal or upper to 60 years, diagnosed with MCI were divided between Control Group (CG, n=8); Experimental Group (EG, n=10). Were evaluated the reaction time, working memory, and relative potency of brainwaves. The CG kept their regular activities in the memory training group. The EG got stimulated the Alpha brainwaves conjugated with the motor tasks that demanded high cognitive activity. Were made once week 15 minutes of brain stimulation plus 25 minutes of motor tasks per 7 weeks. After this time the participants got the variables evaluated again. T-test was used in comparisons and was verified in a descriptive way that the EG got better performance than CG in the tests. In the relative potency of Theta and Delta brainwaves, the CG got Theta-increase in parietals areas and Delta-increase both parietals and frontal areas. The EG got a decrease in Theta relative potency both in the parietals and frontal areas. Alpha-potency decrease in both groups, with a lower reduction in the EG. No comparisons between groups were statistically significant. We conclude that the association of physical and cognitive stimulus once a week by 40 minutes in 7 weeks wasn't enough to produce statistically significant results. However, the observed descriptive data agree with other researches that shown the effectiveness of the association of physical and cognitive stimulus for a longer time.