Mohsen Omidi, Mohsen Salesi, Rasoul Rezaei, Maryam Koushki Jahromi,
Volume 21, Issue 6 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background: BDNF protein is the important neurotrophin that is involved in cognitive function. Diabetes can lead to impaired function and is a neurocognitive disorder's factor in hippocampus. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of concurrent training on BDNF levels in the brain hippocampus and cognitive function of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: 40 of Sprague-Dawn rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy inactive, non-healthy concurrent exercise, diabetic group without exercise, and diabetic concurrent exercise. Rats in the training groups performed concurrent training for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, subjects' memory was assessed using a cognitive function test in a water maze. BDNF levels in the hippocampus were measured by Western blotting. One-way analysis of variance and LSD post hoc test were used to analyze the data.
Findings: The present study showed that eight weeks of concurrent exercise resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar in the healthy exercise group compared to the diabetic group. A significant decrease in BDNF levels of the cerebral hippocampus was also observed in the diabetic exercise group compared to the diabetic group. In addition, the level of memory function in healthy exercise and diabetic exercise groups was significantly higher than healthy control and patient control.
Conclusion: Concurrent exercise reduces BDNF hippocampus and increased cognitive function in the exercise group compared to the control group. As a result, it can be said that this type of exercise is very effective in improving the complications of type 2 diabetes.
Somayeh Hasani, Seyedeh Maryan Moshirian Farahi, Haniyeh Zarif Golbar Yazdi,
Volume 25, Issue 6 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background: This study investigated the efficacy of the “Rehacom” cognitive rehabilitation software on five key cognitive domains—working memory, information processing speed, attention, inhibition, and executive functions—in patients diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Methods: A pre-test/post-test experimental design with a control group was employed. A sample of 30 diabetic patients was recruited via convenience sampling and randomly allocated to either the experimental group (receiving Rehacom software intervention for 12 sessions) or the control group. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Rehacom software itself and the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS). Each session lasted 45 minutes.
Results: Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) revealed a significant overall effect of the intervention on the composite of dependent variables (Wilks’ Lambda= 0.184, F (5.24)= 7.978, P< 0.001). Subsequent Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the intervention significantly enhanced “attention” (η²= 0.236, P= 0.016) and “executive functions” (η²= 0.621, P< 0.001). However, no significant impact was observed on working memory, information processing speed, or inhibition.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Rehacom software serves as an effective tool for improving attention and executive functions in diabetic patients. The notable effect sizes for these two domains underscore its clinical utility in cognitive rehabilitation programs for chronic patients. The absence of effects on other components may be attributable to factors such as the limited duration of the intervention, specific software exercises, or the underlying neurochemical and pathophysiological characteristics of diabetes, warranting further investigation with more robust designs.
