Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Square-stepping exercise (SSE) is a cognitive training program with a stepping response. We aimed to determine if a SSE intervention improves cognition and mobility in older adults with chronic disease (i.e., knee osteoarthritis [KOA]; type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] with self-reported cognitive complaints [sCC]; and dementia), compared to control groups. We conducted three trials, with 12- and 24-week intervention periods, compared to control groups. We measured mobility (i.e., 30-second chair stand, and walking speed) for adults with KOA; cognition (i.e., computer tests of cognitive domains) for adults with T2DM with sCC; and mood and behaviours questionnaire (i.e., Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire; NPIQ) for adults with dementia. We found that adults with KOA showed trends toward improved 30-second chair stand at 12- and 24-weeks, and walking speed at 24-weeks, compared to controls. T2DM with sCC improved in the planning domain between 12 to 24-weeks compared to controls. Adults with dementia improved on mood symptom scores at 12-weeks, compared to controls. Overall, SSE showed promise for improving mobility and cognition in adults with chronic disease and demonstrates the potential for its use in adults with diverse mobility and cognitive impairments.