Influência da associação de insuficiência cardíaca e apneia do sono sobre a função cognitiva e aprendizado motor

Abstract

Objective: To verify the influence of the association of heart failure (HF) and sleep apnea (SA) on cognitive function and motor learning. Method: Thirty-two individuals participated in the study, 17 of them (age: 58.5 ± 7.1 years old; gender: 14M / 3F) presented HF+SA, 6 HF (age: 53.3 ± 8.2 years old; gender: 2M / 4F) and 9 healthy (age: 55.9 ± 6.9 years old; gender: 6M / 3F). Global cognitive functions were assessed through the Mini Mental State Examination, motor learning, a sequence of digital movements, and an executive function and sustained and alternate attention by Trail Making Test part A and B. Results: individuals with HF+SA showed cognitive impairment compared to the HF group. A negative correlation was found between AHI and MMSE score (r = -0.449; p = 0.032) and a positive correlation was found between AHI and motor learning test execution time (r = 0.549; p = 0.015) in the group HF+SA and HF. There was no significant difference between HF and healthy subjects in cognitive function, motor learning, executive function and attention. Conclusion: This study indicates that HF associated with SA negatively influences the cognitive function and the motor performance. For this reason, it is important to establish methods for identify sleep disorders in the HF population.