Effect of eight-form Tai Chi combined with olfactory stimulation on working memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Bibliographic Data

ID22069019
AuthorsJialei Huang (Soochow University), Chunhui Zhou (0000-0003-4079-7475, Soochow University), Miao Wang (0000-0002-4102-8582, Soochow University), Hua Yang (0009-0000-5640-0925, Soochow University), Ganfeng Yang (0000-0001-7043-2181, Soochow University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume13
Pages1724647-1724647
Publication date2026-01-06
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1724647
PMID41567790
OpenAlexW7118947412
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited29

Background Tai Chi integrates multisensory stimuli, including olfactory cues, to enhance cognitive functions such as working memory. This study evaluated the effects of eight-form Tai Chi combined with olfactory stimulation on working memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods This study used a 2 (time) × 3 (group) mixed design. Of 267 screened patients with MCI, 93 were deemed eligible and randomly assigned to one of three groups: Tai Chi group (TCG), Tai Chi combined with olfactory stimulation group (TCOG), or control group (CG). The TCG and TCOG participated in three weekly 60 min sessions for 26 weeks. The TCOG was exposed to four fragrances. Primary outcomes were the N-back task and the digit span test (DST). Secondary outcomes included the MoCA, MMSE, CSIT, GDS, SAS, and PSQI. Results Post-intervention, both intervention groups outperformed the CG in 0-back accuracy (TCG: +0.118, 95% CI: 0.048–0.188, p < 0.001; TCOG: +0.118, 95% CI: 0.048–0.187, p < 0.001) and total DST scores (TCG: +1.321, 95% CI: 0.250–2.393, p = 0.009; TCOG: +1.535, 95% CI: 0.602–2.467, p < 0.001). They also exhibited significant improvements in MoCA (TCG: +3.07, 95% CI: 0.89–5.25, p = 0.002; TCOG: +3.42, 95% CI: 1.22–5.62, p = 0.001) and CSIT scores (TCG: +3.29, 95% CI: 1.56–5.01, p < 0.001; TCOG: +3.86, 95% CI: 2.28–5.44, p < 0.001) compared with the CG. Furthermore, the TCOG showed superior gains over the TCG in 1-back accuracy (+0.156, 95% CI: 0.044–0.269, p = 0.003), forward digit span (+0.613, 95% CI: 0.156–1.070, p = 0.004), and backward digit span (+0.921, 95% CI: 0.117–1.726, p = 0.018). It likewise showed significantly greater reductions in GDS (−1.46, 95% CI: −2.78 to −0.15, p = 0.024) and PSQI scores (−2.04, 95% CI: −3.89 to −0.19, p = 0.008) compared with the other groups, with the TCOG versus TCG in PSQI being significant (−1.47, 95% CI: −2.98 to −0.04, p = 0.020). Conclusion Tai Chi improved working memory and global cognition in older adults with MCI. Combining Tai Chi with olfactory stimulation yielded additional benefits, demonstrating superior efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms and enhancing sleep quality. Clinical trial registration https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html , Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400083424)

Clinical trial · Cognition · Cognitive impairment · Dementia · Functional electrical stimulation · Memory Impairment · Working memory · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Spatial Neglect and Hemispheric Dysfunction · Traumatic Brain Injury Research