Effect Of Tai Chi Combined With Music Therapy On Cognitive Function In Elderly Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

PURPOSE: As the global elderly population grows, cognitive decline, especially Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), is increasingly prevalent. MCI, often a precursor to dementia, highlights a critical window for early, non-pharmacological interventions. This study investigates the combined effects of Tai Chi and music therapy on cognitive function in elderly individuals with MCI. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 66 elderly participants with MCI, who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Control Group (CG), Tai Chi Group (TCG), or Tai Chi Combined with Music Therapy Group (TCMG), with 22 participants in each. Cognitive function was assessed over a 16-week intervention period using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Stroop Color and Word Test. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were no significant differences between groups. Both the TCG and TCMG groups showed significant cognitive improvements after the 16-week intervention. Furthermore, the TCG group exhibited significant gains in MoCA scores (z = 2.81, p = 0.005), attention accuracy (z = 2.17, p = 0.031), and delayed recall (z = 3.01, p = 0.003). Meanwhile, the TCMG group demonstrated more extensive improvements with substantial gains in MoCA (z = 4.50, p < 0.001), MMSE (z = 3.29, p = 0.001), attention accuracy (z = 2.24, p = 0.025), visuospatial and executive functions (z = 3.20, p = 0.001), naming (z = 2.45, p = 0.014), abstraction (z = 2.33, p = 0.020), and delayed recall (z = 2.74, p = 0.006). By contrast, the CG exhibited declines in language repetition (z = -2.03, p = 0.042) and delayed recall (z = -2.17, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen weeks of Tai Chi combined with music therapy significantly improved cognitive function in elderly individuals with MCI, especially in memory, attention, and executive functions. These findings highlight the potential of a combined intervention approach in cognitive health programs for older adults.