Cognitive Dysfunction* / therapy

Testosterone Treatment in Middle-Aged and Older Men with Hypogonadism

Author/s: 
Shalender Bhasin, Peter J Snyder


In clinical trials involving middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism, testosterone treatment led to improved sexual activity and libido, correction of anemia, and modestly improved energy, mood, and walking ability. (The following key points also refer to findings from clinical trials involving this patient population.)

Testosterone treatment did not improve cognition in men without a previously diagnosed cognitive disorder and did not prevent progression to diabetes in men with prediabetes or improve glycemic control in those with diabetes.

Testosterone treatment did not increase the risk of major cardiovascular events among men with preexisting cardiovascular disease.

Testosterone treatment did not increase the risk of prostate cancer or acute urinary retention and did not worsen lower urinary tract symptoms.

Testosterone treatment was associated with an increased risk of clinical fractures and pulmonary embolism.

The decision to administer testosterone treatment in a man with hypogonadism should be based on the severity of the hypogonadism and an assessment of the potential benefits and risks of treatment.

Effects of dance therapy on cognitive and mental health in adults aged 55 years and older with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author/s: 
Chen-shan Huang, Yuan-jiao Yan, Yu-ting Luo, Rong Lin, Hong Li

Background: Individuals with mild cognitive impairment are at high risk of developing dementia. Dance therapy has promising applications in delaying cognitive decline. However, the effectiveness of dance therapy for older adults with mild cognitive impairment is unclear. The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of dance therapy on global cognitive function, specific cognitive subdomains, quality of life, and mental health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment to enrich health management strategies for dementia.

Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature were searched from inception up to September 23, 2023. The language was limited to English and Chinese. Relevant studies were screened and assessed for risk of bias. A meta-analysis and subgroup analyses stratified by measurement instrument, dance type, intervention duration, and frequency were conducted using the STATA 16.0 software. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results: Ten studies involving 984 participants aged 55 years and over who met the eligibility criteria were included. Dance therapy significantly improved global cognitive function, memory, executive function, attention, language, and mental health (i.e., depression and neuropsychiatric symptoms). However, the effects of dance therapy on processing speed, visuospatial ability, and quality of life in older adults with mild cognitive impairment remain inconclusive. Moreover, dance interventions of longer duration (> 3 months) improved global cognition more than shorter interventions.

Conclusion: This review reported that dance therapy was effective in improving global cognitive function, memory, executive function, attention, language, and mental health (i.e., depression and neuropsychiatric symptoms). Hence, it may be an effective non-pharmacological complementary treatment for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

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