ScholarWorks@성균관대학교

초록

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a dual-task-based physical activity program on cognitive function and the functional connectivity of the prefrontal cortex in older adults. Method: A modified Stroop task was administered to two groups: 15 older women in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS; NIRSIT, Obelab Inc., Korea) was used to measure task-related changes in oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) concentration in the prefrontal cortex, providing objective neurophysiological data on cortical activation. Results: Post-intervention, the experimental group exhibited enhanced functional connectivity across eight Brodmann areas within the prefrontal cortex during cognitive task performance compared to preintervention levels. In contrast, the control group showed no statistically significant changes in connectivity. Between-group comparisons confirmed that only the experimental group experienced significant improvements in prefrontal network activation, while the control group demonstrated minimal changes or slight decreases in connectivity strength. Conclusion: These findings suggest that dual-task-based physical activity may enhance cognitive performance in older adults by strengthening the functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex. The use of fNIRS offers robust neurophysiological evidence supporting the effectiveness of integrated cognitivephysical interventions in promoting brain health among aging populations.

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