Resistance training and subcortical vascular cognitive impairment: A 12-month randomized trial.

Progressive resistance training significantly improved ADAS-Cog-Plus scores compared to balance and tone exercises at 12 months.

• Estimated mean difference: -0.18; 95% CI: [-0.35, -0.01]; p = 0.04
• 91 participants were randomized (PRT = 45; BAT = 46); 76 completed the trial
• The trial duration was 12 months
• The comparator was balance and tone exercises (BAT)

The beneficial effect of progressive resistance training on ADAS-Cog-Plus scores was significant for females but not for males.

• Planned contrasts were stratified by sex
• Females showed a significant PRT effect: mean difference -0.27; 95% CI: [-0.49, -0.05]; p = 0.02
• No significant PRT effect on ADAS-Cog-Plus scores was observed for males

Progressive resistance training significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels compared to balance and tone exercises.

• Estimated mean difference: -2.93; 95% CI: [-5.36, -0.49]; p = 0.02
• C-reactive protein was a secondary outcome measure
• No significant differences were observed for other secondary outcomes

Adherence to the exercise interventions did not differ significantly between the progressive resistance training and balance and tone exercise groups.

• p = 0.18 for between-group difference in adherence
• The trial compared PRT versus BAT over 12 months
• 76 of 91 randomized participants completed the trial

The study population consisted of adults with cerebral small vessel disease and mild cognitive impairment, characterized as subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI).

• SVCI is defined in this study as the combination of cerebral small vessel disease and mild cognitive impairment
• 91 participants were randomized across two sites
• The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669394)