The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Working Memory with a Covariate of Exercise Among the Perimenopausal Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Intermittent fasting and exercise are tools to improve health. Current literature focuses on their impact on metabolic health and weight loss, leaving a gap in the research examining their effects on working memory during the menopause transition. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by recruiting perimenopausal participants and randomly assigning them to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group followed an 8/16 intermittent fasting regimen for two consecutive weeks. Both groups ate ad libitum without dietary restrictions. Participants completed a pre- and post-study Working Memory Questionnaire and self-reported average hours of exercise per week. An analysis of covariance found no significant mean differences in Working Memory Questionnaire posttest scores across groups with a covariate adjustment for average hours of exercise per week, F (1, 30) = .019, p = .891. The covariate was not significant (p = .538), indicating the groups did not differ in average hours of exercise per week. A Pearson correlation found no significant relationship between Working Memory Questionnaire posttest scores and average hours of exercise per week (r = - .097, n = 34, p =.585). Recommendations for future research include implementing blood tests to determine hormone levels, increasing the number of participants, and monitoring caloric intake and exercise levels. The results of this study contribute to the literature by demonstrating the effects of an 8/16 IF regimen on WM during the MT.