Physical activity is associated with better cognitive measures of verbal fluency, immediate recall, delayed recall, and numeracy in older people with osteoarthritis and moderate-severe pain.

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study assesses the relationship between physical activity (PA) and crucial indicators of cognitive function in older adults with osteoarthritis and moderate-severe pain.

Design: Data were derived from the 9th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), conducted among older people in 27 European countries and Israel. Cognitive measures of verbal fluency, immediate recall, delayed recall, and numeracy were included, as well as self-reports of PA level. Multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to test associations, adjusted for various demographic and lifestyle factors.

Results: 7,429 participants were included. A positive association was found between performing moderate PA more than once a week and better verbal fluency (β = 2.16; 95%CI: 1.75-2.58), immediate recall (β = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.41-0.60), delayed recall (β = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.34-0.57) and numeracy (β = 0.43; 95%CI: 0.34-0.52) compared to hardly ever or never performing PA. Additionally, a positive but weaker association was found between performing vigorous PA once a week and better verbal fluency (β = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.02-2.02), immediate recall (β = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.18-0.41), delayed recall (β = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.27-0.54) and numeracy (β = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.23-0.44).

Conclusions: Regular PA, particularly moderate intensity, is positively associated with better cognitive measures of verbal fluency, immediate recall, delayed recall, and numeracy, with the strongest benefits observed for verbal fluency.