Real life changes in physical activity due to intragastric balloon therapy and their relationship to improving cognitive functions : preliminary findings

Background. We evaluated if the intragastric balloon (IGB) treatment leads to the increase in physical activity (PA) and whether they are related to cognitive improvements. Methods. Fourteen morbidly obese patients (151 ± 24 kg, BMI = 51.8 ± 6.5, 107 ± 26% excess weight, 43.3 ± 10.6 years) underwent 6-day-long, uninterrupted evaluations of PA 1 month before IGB insertion and 1 month after its removal. Results Active energy expenditure and physical activity duration increased by more than 80% (p < 0.001) whereas the number of steps per day by 20% (p = 0.016). There was a pattern of relationships between cognitive improvements and increases in PA (p < 0.05). In particular, working memory improvements correlated with the increase in time spent on light physical activities (r = 0.673, p = 0.004). Conclusion. The relationships suggest that an increase in physical activity mediates cognitive improvements in bariatric patients

Cognitive improvements following body mass reduction induced by intragastric balloon placement in morbidly obese patients : a preliminary study

Introduction: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with poorer cognitive performance. Reports suggest that bariatric surgery may lead to improvements in cognitive processes. However, the potential effects of mood improvements have not yet been evaluated. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of intragastric balloon (IGB) induced weight loss on cognitive performance in morbidly obese patients and relate them to changes in mood. Methods: Twenty four morbidly obese patients (43.9±12.0 years of age, 145.6±22.3kg, body mass index (BMI): 49.8±6.9, 11 females, 14 with T2DM), underwent tests of visual short-term memory (Benton Visual Retention Test), sustained and divided attention (Color Trail Test), and verbal short-term memory: (Digit Span from WAIS-R) 1) a month before IGB insertion, 2) three months after, 3) one month after IGB removal. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Significant cognitive improvement was observed over the first three months of IGB treatment in verbal short-term memory, visual short-term memory, and sustained and divided attention among all patients, regardless of their T2DM status. However, these changes correlated with weight loss only in patients without comorbid T2DM. The cognitive changes were not associated with changes in depressive symptoms. The improved cognitive performance was sustained over the last three months of the treatment. Conclusions: Morbid obesity treatment with an intragastric balloon leads to cognitive improvements. These improvements are not associated with mood changes