Background: Prior research has reported cognitive improvements in elderly individuals when mental and physical exercise are practiced simultaneously, as in exergaming. However, the molecular mechanisms driving this beneficial response remain unclear. Moreover, there is robust evidence that regular exercise increases neurotrophic factors and promotes neuroplasticity, contributing to cognitive improvement. This research aimed to assess the impact of a 6-week Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol on cognitive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in institutionalized older individuals. Methods: Participants living in a long-term care facility were included. The intervention (Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol) was conducted individually and consisted of two sessions per week (40 min each) over 6 weeks. Participants’ cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) was evaluated before and after the intervention. Blood samples (15 ml) were collected at the same time to measure BDNF levels. Results: Although there were no changes in total MoCA scores, exergame training improved the “language” domain and demonstrated a tendency toward an improvement in the “abstraction” and “memory/delayed recall” domains. Furthermore, BDNF levels were significantly increased after the intervention. Conclusion: BDNF enhancement might mediate, at least in part, the cognitive changes induced by a 6-week Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol in institutionalized older adults.

背景：先前的研究报告说，当同时进行精神和身体锻炼时，老年人的认知能力会有所改善，例如在运动游戏中。然而，驱动这种有益反应的分子机制仍不清楚。此外，有强有力的证据表明，定期锻炼会增加神经营养因子并促进神经可塑性，从而有助于认知改善。本研究旨在评估为期 6 周的 Xbox 360 Kinect 运动游戏协议对机构化老年人的认知功能和脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) 水平的影响。方法：包括住在长期护理机构的参与者。干预（Xbox 360 Kinect 运动游戏协议）是单独进行的，包括每周两次（每次 40 分钟）超过 6 周。在干预前后评估参与者的认知功能（蒙特利尔认知评估，MoCA）。同时收集血样（15ml）以测量BDNF水平。结果：虽然 MoCA 总分没有变化，但运动游戏训练改善了“语言”领域，并表现出改善“抽象”和“记忆/延迟回忆”领域的趋势。此外，干预后BDNF水平显着增加。结论：BDNF 增强可能至少部分介导由 6 周 Xbox 360 Kinect 运动游戏协议在机构化老年人中引起的认知变化。尽管 MoCA 总分没有变化，但运动游戏训练改善了“语言”领域，并表现出在“抽象”和“记忆/延迟回忆”领域有所改善的趋势。此外，干预后BDNF水平显着增加。结论：BDNF 增强可能至少部分介导由 6 周 Xbox 360 Kinect 运动游戏协议在机构化老年人中引起的认知变化。尽管 MoCA 总分没有变化，但运动游戏训练改善了“语言”领域，并表现出在“抽象”和“记忆/延迟回忆”领域有所改善的趋势。此外，干预后BDNF水平显着增加。结论：BDNF 增强可能至少部分介导由 6 周 Xbox 360 Kinect 运动游戏协议在机构化老年人中引起的认知变化。