In an article published in the Journal of Neurovirology (June 2013), results from a small study suggest that physical exercise may reduce neuro-cognitive impairment and improve working memory as well as speed of processing information in HIV-positive people.
From 2007-2011, the small study included 83 people in the exercise group vs. 252 in the no-exercise group, based upon self-reporting that they had engaged in an activity within the previous 72 hours that increased their heart rate.
Average age was 48, half were white (51%) and most were men (74%). Most were on HIV treatment (82%) and most had been diagnosed with AIDS (65%). The duration of being HIV-positive ranged from 1 month to 28 years.
Participants completed a staff-administered questionnaire asking about exercise within the past 72 hours. Each then completed a neuro-cognitive test that included verbal fluency, working memory, speed of processing information, learning, recall, executive function and motor function. Each area was assigned a deficit score based on a 5-point scale.
When comparing the two groups, the exercise group had a rate of 15.6% global neuro-cognitive impairment vs. a 30.9% rate in the no-exercise group. Similar findings were seen when they looked at only those with undetectable viral load.
The researchers then matched and compared 83 people from the no-exercise with the same demographics as those in the exercise group. The same results occurred with twice the people (28.9%) in the no-exercise group having global neuro-cognitive impairment. Characteristics that may relate to this impairment included lower CD4 counts (<500), higher rates of depression and more cases of AIDS.
Whether or not exercise can actually improve neuro-cognitive impairment needs to be studied further. Read the full study PDF.
RESEARCH:
C Dufour, et al. Physical exercise is associated with less neurocognitive impairment among HIV-infected adults. Journal of Neurovirology. June 21, 2013.