Improved Pulmonary Function Reduces Cognitive Impairment Incidence in Female Older Adults

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and early dementia. MCI is increasingly prevalent among the elderly. Some studies have shown that various pulmonary measures are associated with cognitive function. However, there has been limited investigation into this matter regarding cognitive impairment among community-dwelling individuals, particularly in relation to pulmonary function. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and cognitive performance in female older adults with MCI. Methods: This study involved 21 female older adults aged 64 to 77 years, all diagnosed with MCI. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with scores ranging from 18 to 24. Executive function was evaluated using the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). Pulmonary function was measured through Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) using a computerized spirometer. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the relationship between cognitive and pulmonary function variables. A Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons (10 tests), setting the significance threshold at p < 0.005. Results: The analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between TMT-B scores and FVC (r = –0.602, p = 0.004). However, no statistically significant correlations were found between TMT-B scores and either FEV1 (r = –0.534, p = 0.029) or MVV (r = –0.359, p = 0.110) after Bonferroni correction. Similarly, no significant correlations were observed between MoCA scores and MVV (r = 0.315, p = 0.165), FVC (r = 0.441, p = 0.045), or FEV1 (r = 0.476, p = 0.029). Conclusion: The findings suggest an association between better pulmonary function and improved cognitive performance, particularly in female older adults with MCI. These findings highlight the importance of considering respiratory health as part of a comprehensive approach to cognitive aging and dementia prevention.