title: Effects of intervention using a community-based walking program for prevention of mental decline: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a municipality-led walking program under the Japanese public Long-Term Care Insurance Act to prevent mental decline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The city of Takasaki.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty community members aged 72.0 ± 4.0 were randomly divided into intervention (n = 75) and control (n = 75) groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A walking program was conducted once a week for 90 minutes for 3 months. The program encouraged participants to walk on a regular basis and to increase their steps per day gradually. The intervention was conducted in small groups of approximately six, so combined benefits of exercise and social interaction were expected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cognitive function was evaluated focusing on nine tests in five domains: memory, executive function, word fluency, visuospatial abilities, and sustained attention. Quality of life (QOL), depressive state, functional capacity, range of activities, and social network were assessed using questionnaires, and motor function was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences between the intervention and control groups were shown in word fluency related to frontal lobe function (F(1, 128) = 6.833, P = .01), QOL (F(1,128) = 9.751, P = .002), functional capacity including social interaction (F(1,128) = 13.055, P < .001), and motor function (Timed Up and Go Test: F(1,127) = 10.117, P = .002). No significant differences were observed in other cognitive tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking programs may provide benefits in some aspects of cognition, QOL, and functional capacity including social interaction in elderly community members. This study could serve as the basis for implementation of a community-based intervention to prevent mental decline.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ura
authors.forename: Tomoharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murai
authors.forename: Mikie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isahai
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaiho
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamagami
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Fumiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miyamae
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awata
authors.forename: Ryutaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Haruyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003863:Depression; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009048:Motor Skills; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*