Minimal amount of exercise reduces incident dementia in adults with cerebrovascular disease

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) contributes not only to stroke but also to the full spectrum of vascular cognitive impairment, which ranges from mild cognitive symptoms to dementia. Prior Studies have shown that even modest physical activity, such as light daily walking, is linked to a substantial reduction in dementia risk across various populations with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Building on top of these findings, the present study aims to investigate whether a minimal amount of exercise (MAE) shows similar protective effects against incident dementia in adults with CVD. METHODS: MAE is defined operationally as walking for approximately 15 to 30 min or 1500 to 3000 steps. MAE frequency was classified as MAE-none (0 times/week), MAE-weekly (1-2 times/week), or MAE-daily (≥3 times/week). A longitudinal cohort study was performed using the databases of 3 hospitals in Taiwan and included adults aged ≥30-years-old with CVD but without dementia. Five hundred fifty-five eligible participants were analyzed, and dementia incidence was compared across MAE groups using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for various factors. RESULTS: Our results showed that lower exercise frequency was associated with a higher probability of dementia conversion within various subgroups stratified by age, sex, education, and baseline cognitive status. Cox regression analysis indicated that increasing age and coronary artery disease were significant risk factors for dementia, whereas lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medications were protective. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that more intensive engagement in MAE may benefit adults with CVD by lowering the likelihood of dementia progression and preserving cognitive function.