Feasibility and preliminary outcomes of cognitive-motor training intervention for older working adults reporting subjective cognitive and physical complaints

Abstract

Cognitive-motor interventions may help preserve and enhance cognitive, physical and sensorimotor function in aging populations, however, their feasibility for older adults working in cognitively demanding positions and experiencing subjective cognitive and physical complaints (SCPCs) remains unclear. This single-arm pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary cognitive and sensorimotor effects of an 8-week combined group motor training and individual device-based cognitive-motor training (CMT). Twenty-three participants (M age = 60.7 ± 5.29 years, 74% female) completed eight 60-min group balance and coordination motor training sessions and eight 90-min individual CMT sessions. Cognitive performance, sensorimotor function, and SCPCs were assessed at baseline and post-intervention, and feasibility was evaluated through attendance, attrition and written feedback. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in working memory (N-back, p < .001; r bc = − 0.887), selective attention (Flanker, p = .021; r bc = 0.543), perception span ( p = .017, d = − 0.536), eye-hand coordination ( p = .048; r bc = 0.471), and dynamic visual acuity ( p = .013, d = 0.561). No significant changes were observed in SCPCs ( p > .05). Adherence was high (92%) and participant positive feedback indicated good acceptability . These findings suggest that combined cognitive-motor training is feasible and may produce cognitive and sensorimotor benefits for older working adults reporting SCPCs. This study provides a foundation for future randomized controlled trials with larger samples, which should focus on optimizing training duration and include follow-ups to confirm these preliminary observations.