Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (Jun 2023)

Effects of Tai Chi on working memory in older adults: evidence from combined fNIRS and ERP

  • Chen Wang,
  • Yuanfu Dai,
  • Yuan Yang,
  • Xiaoxia Yuan,
  • Mengjie Zhang,
  • Jia Zeng,
  • Xiaoke Zhong,
  • Jiao Meng,
  • Changhao Jiang,
  • Changhao Jiang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1206891
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

Read online

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on working memory in older adults using ERP-fNIRS.MethodFifty older adults were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 12-week Tai Chi exercise intervention or a control group receiving regular daily activities. Working memory was assessed using the n-back task before and after the intervention, and spatial and temporal components of neural function underlying the n-back task were measured using ERP-fNIRS.ResultsThe experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in reaction time and accuracy on the 2-back task and showed higher activation levels in the R-DLPFC. Additionally, the Tai Chi group displayed significant increases in P3 amplitude in the overall n-back task.ConclusionThese findings suggest that Tai Chi interventions can enhance working memory in older adults, as evidenced by increasing neural activity and improving HbO in the R-DLPFC during the 2-back task.

Keywords