Cognitive stimulation and psychosocial results in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a popular and cost-effective intervention, which applies different types of techniques focused on cognitive skills and can be administered by different professionals. CS can be defined as activities that involve cognitive processing usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. Therefore, CS can improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety and activities of daily living (ADLs) independent of the pharmacological treatment such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on psychosocial outcomes in older adults (aged 65 years or over), with healthy cognitive ageing, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were initially identified in these databases. After discarding studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 30 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis performed with robust variance estimator (RVE) due the inclusion of studies with repeated measurements. The quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. RESULTS: CS was significantly associated with a higher QoL in participants who received personalized/adapted CS (RVE = 0.11±0.19 [-0.76, 0.99], t(1.86) = 0.6, p = 0.61). . CONCLUSION: Personalized/adapted CS seems to improve QoL in older adults.

Cognitive stimulation and cognitive results in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The lack of cognitive activity accelerates age cognitive decline. Cognitive stimulation (CS) tries to enhance cognitive functioning. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on cognitive outcomes (general cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains) in older adults (aged 65 years or older, cognitively healthy participants, or with mild cognitive impairment, or dementia). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were identified in these databases, and. 33 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Raw means and standard deviations were used for continuous outcomes. Publication bias was examined by Egger's Regression Test for Funnel Plot Asymmetry and the quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health. RESULTS: CS significantly improves general cognitive functioning (mean difference=MD = 1.536, 95%CI, 0.832 to 2.240), memory (MD = 0.365, 95%CI, 0.300 to 0.430), orientation (MD = 0.428, 95%CI, 0.306 to 0.550), praxis (MD = 0.278, 95%CI, 0.094 to 0.462) and calculation (MD = 0.228, 95%CI, 0.112 to 0.343). CONCLUSION: CS seems to increase general cognitive functioning, memory, orientation, praxis, and calculation in older adults.

Job Demands May Determine Cognitive and Physical Aging After Retirement.

During adulthood, we spend most of our time and efforts at work. However, the impact of employment in aging is poorly explored. Our study addressed how job demands can affect aging after retirement. We have developed a descriptive observational study carried out in 367 older adults with a mean age of 73.9 years (66.5% women and 33.5% men), measuring cognition and functional status. Our results demonstrate that older adults who had high mental demands in their jobs, show better scores in cognition. However, they show poor functional development of basic and instrumental activities of daily life (p< .05). In contrast, former workers who had high physical demands, display lower scores in cognition and lower functional performance in instrumental activities (p< .05). Work life activities contribute to cognitive and physical decline after retirement. Therefore, healthy aging should include interventions that consider the job influence on the age impairment.

Effects of multi-component non-pharmacological interventions on cognition in participants with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes a stage of intermediate cognitive dysfunction where the risk of conversion to dementia is elevated. Given the absence of effective pharmacological treatments for MCI, increasing numbers of studies are attempting to understand how multicomponent non-pharmacological interventions (MNPI) could benefit MCI. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to assess the effects of two-component MNPI (simultaneous cognitive intervention based on cognitive stimulation, cognitive training and/or cognitive rehabilitation or combined cognitive and physical interventions) on global cognition and cognitive functions in older adults with MCI and to compare the degree of efficacy between the two interventions. METHODS: After searching electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central) for randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published from 2010 to 18 January 2021, 562 studies were found. 8 studies were included in this review, with a fair to good quality according to the PEDro scale. RESULTS: From a random-effects model meta-analysis, the pooled standardized MMSE mean difference between the intervention and control groups showed a significant small-to-medium effect in global cognition in MMSE score (0.249; 95% CI = [0.067, 0.431]), which seemed to be greater for combined physical and cognitive interventions. However, the meta-analyses did not show any effects regarding specific cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Our analyses support that MNPI could improve the global cognition in older adults with MCI. However, more studies are needed to analyze the potential benefits of MNPI on older adults with MCI.

Análisis del efecto a largo plazo de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en Atención Primaria: ensayo controlado aleatorizado / Long-term effect analysis of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment elderly in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial

Objetivo: Aportar evidencias de la eficacia de una intervención comunitaria en salud a través de un programa de estimulación cognitiva (PEC) implementada con el paso del tiempo en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en la comunidad. Diseño: Seguimiento de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado (normas grupo CONSORT). Emplazamiento: Centro de salud San José Norte-Centro y Fundación La Caridad (Zaragoza). Participantes: Veintinueve personas ≥65 años, con 24-27 puntos en el MEC-35 que completaron el ensayo a los 48 meses, 15 aleatorizados en el grupo intervención y 14 en el grupo control. Intervenciones: Se realizaron 10 sesiones, 45min/semana, durante 10 semanas, con el cuaderno rojo de activación mental que ejercita: memoria, orientación, lenguaje, praxis, gnosis, cálculo, percepción, razonamiento lógico, atención y funciones ejecutivas. Mediciones principales: MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel, Lawton-Brody, subescala de ansiedad Goldberg y Yesavage abreviado (GDS-15). Resultados: Analizando los incrementos sobre el nivel basal para MEC-35, el grupo intervención obtiene, de media: postintervención 3,14 puntos, a los 6 meses 3,76 puntos y a los 12 meses 2,26 puntos más que el grupo control, siendo estos incrementos estadísticamente significativos. A los 48 meses el grupo intervención sigue obteniendo 2 puntos más que el control, sin ser significativos. La intervención no mejoró el desempeño en fluidez verbal, actividades de la vida diaria ni estado de ánimo. Conclusiones:Nuestro PEC podría ser eficaz en la mejora de la cognición general, medida con el MEC-35, en postintervención, a los 6, 12 y 48 meses. No se evidencian mejoras en fluidez verbal, actividades de la vida diaria ni estado de ánimo.(AU)

Objective: To provide evidence about the efficacy of a community health intervention through a cognitive stimulation program at long term in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Design: Randomized controlled trial (CONSORT group norms). Location: San José Norte-Centro Primary Care Center and La Caridad Foundation (Zaragoza, Spain). Participants: Twenty-nine people over 65 years old with a 24-27 MEC score that completed 48 months follow up. They were randomized between the intervention group (15) and the control group (14). Interventions: The intervention was applied in 10 sessions of 45min for 10 weeks using the red notebook tool for mental activation that works memory, orientation, language, praxis, gnosis, calculation, perception, logical reasoning, attention and executive functions. Main measurements: The main outcome variables were MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel index, Lawton-Brody scale, Goldberg anxiety scale and Yesavage geriatric depression scale short form. Results: Increases of the main result variable over the baseline level of MEC-35 were analyzed. On average, the intervention group obtained higher scores than control: 3.14 points post intervention, 3.76 points after 6 months and 2.26 points more than control group after 12 months. All the differences were statistically significant. After 48 months the intervention group obtained 2 points more than control group. The intervention did not improve verbal fluency, activity daily living and mood. Conclusions: Our cognitive stimulation program seems to improve cognitive performance, measured with the variable MEC-35 at post intervention, 6, 12 and 48 months. There is no evidence of improvement in verbal fluency, activity daily livings and mood.(AU)

[Long-term effect analysis of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment elderly in Primary Care: A randomized controlled trial]. / Análisis del efecto a largo plazo de un programa de estimulación cognitiva en mayores con deterioro cognitivo leve en Atención Primaria: ensayo controlado aleatorizado.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence about the efficacy of a community health intervention through a cognitive stimulation program at long term in older people with mild cognitive impairment. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (CONSORT group norms). LOCATION: San José Norte-Centro Primary Care Center and La Caridad Foundation (Zaragoza, Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine people over 65 years old with a 24-27 MEC score that completed 48 months follow up. They were randomized between the intervention group (15) and the control group (14). INTERVENTIONS: The intervention was applied in 10 sessions of 45min for 10 weeks using the red notebook tool for mental activation that works memory, orientation, language, praxis, gnosis, calculation, perception, logical reasoning, attention and executive functions. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome variables were MEC-35, Set-test, Barthel index, Lawton-Brody scale, Goldberg anxiety scale and Yesavage geriatric depression scale short form. RESULTS: Increases of the main result variable over the baseline level of MEC-35 were analyzed. On average, the intervention group obtained higher scores than control: 3.14 points post intervention, 3.76 points after 6 months and 2.26 points more than control group after 12 months. All the differences were statistically significant. After 48 months the intervention group obtained 2 points more than control group. The intervention did not improve verbal fluency, activity daily living and mood. CONCLUSIONS: Our cognitive stimulation program seems to improve cognitive performance, measured with the variable MEC-35 at post intervention, 6, 12 and 48 months. There is no evidence of improvement in verbal fluency, activity daily livings and mood. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03831061.

Cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment A randomized controlled trial.

Non-pharmacological cognitive interventions in mild cognitive impairment have demonstrated promising results in preventing or delaying cognitive impairment and functional disability. Cognitive stimulation seems to improve and maintain cognitive and social activity. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at the cognitive level on activities of daily living (ADLs), and levels of anxiety and depression. METHODS: A randomized controlled single-blind trial involving 122 non-institutionalized elderly with a MEC-35 score of 24-27 was conducted. The intervention group (n=54) received the intervention (10-week cognitive stimulation program) and was compared with a control group (n=68) that received no intervention. Follow-up assessments were conducted post-test and at 6 months post-test. The primary outcome was cognitive function determined by changes in scores on the Spanish version (MEC-35) of the Mini-Mental State Examination, while the secondary outcomes were measured by the Barthel Index, Lawton and Brody Scale, Goldberg Questionnaire (anxiety sub-scale) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (15-item version). RESULTS: The intervention group showed a significant improvement in cognitive function at both timepoints, post-test and 6-month follow-up. The Barthel Index was higher in the intervention group, but only on the post-test analysis. The intervention did not improve the performance of instrumental ADLs or depression or anxiety levels. CONCLUSION: The findings showed cognitive improvements in an elderly population with MCI in the short and medium-term and improved basic ADLs in the short term. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03831061.

As intervenções cognitivas não farmacológicas no comprometimento cognitivo leve demonstram resultados promissores na prevenção ou retardo no comprometimento cognitivo e na incapacidade funcional. A estimulação cognitiva parece melhorar e manter a atividade cognitiva e social. OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi o de avaliar um programa de estimulação cognitiva sobre o comprometimento cognitivo leve no nível cognitivo, nas atividades da vida diária, níveis de ansiedade e depressão. MÉTODOS: Um estudo randomizado, controlado e cego, foi implementado em 122 idosos não institucionalizados com escore 24-27 na versão em espanhol do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEC-35). O grupo de intervenção (n=54) recebeu a intervenção (programa de estimulação cognitiva de 10 semanas) e foi comparado com um grupo de controle (n=68) que não recebeu nenhuma intervenção. Avaliações de acompanhamento foram realizadas pós-teste e 6 meses pós-teste. O desfecho primário foi a função cognitiva determinada pelas alterações nos escores do MEC-35 e os desfechos secundários foram medidos pelo Índice de Barthel, Escala de Lawton e Brody, Escala de Lawton e Brody, Questionário Goldberg (subescala de ansiedade) ) e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica de Yesavage (versão de 15 itens). RESULTADOS: O grupo intervenção apresentou uma melhora significativa na função cognitiva nas duas medidas de tempo, pós-teste e 6 meses de acompanhamento. O Índice de Barthel foi encontrado mais alto no grupo de intervenção, mas apenas na análise pós-teste. A intervenção não melhorou o desempenho de atividades instrumentais da vida diária e níveis de depressão ou ansiedade. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados mostram melhorias cognitivas no comprometimento cognitivo leve da população idosa em curto e médio prazo e melhoraram as atividades básicas da vida diária em curto prazo. Identificador do Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03831061.

Cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment A randomized controlled trial / Programa de estimulação cognitiva no comprometimento cognitivo leve: um estudo controlado randomizado

Abstract. Non-pharmacological cognitive interventions in mild cognitive impairment have demonstrated promising results in preventing or delaying cognitive impairment and functional disability. Cognitive stimulation seems to improve and maintain cognitive and social activity. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a cognitive stimulation program in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at the cognitive level on activities of daily living (ADLs), and levels of anxiety and depression. Methods: A randomized controlled single-blind trial involving 122 non-institutionalized elderly with a MEC-35 score of 24-27 was conducted. The intervention group (n=54) received the intervention (10-week cognitive stimulation program) and was compared with a control group (n=68) that received no intervention. Follow-up assessments were conducted post-test and at 6 months post-test. The primary outcome was cognitive function determined by changes in scores on the Spanish version (MEC-35) of the Mini-Mental State Examination, while the secondary outcomes were measured by the Barthel Index, Lawton and Brody Scale, Goldberg Questionnaire (anxiety sub-scale) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (15-item version). Results: The intervention group showed a significant improvement in cognitive function at both timepoints, post-test and 6-month follow-up. The Barthel Index was higher in the intervention group, but only on the post-test analysis. The intervention did not improve the performance of instrumental ADLs or depression or anxiety levels. Conclusion: The findings showed cognitive improvements in an elderly population with MCI in the short and medium-term and improved basic ADLs in the short term. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03831061.

Resumo. As intervenções cognitivas não farmacológicas no comprometimento cognitivo leve demonstram resultados promissores na prevenção ou retardo no comprometimento cognitivo e na incapacidade funcional. A estimulação cognitiva parece melhorar e manter a atividade cognitiva e social. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi o de avaliar um programa de estimulação cognitiva sobre o comprometimento cognitivo leve no nível cognitivo, nas atividades da vida diária, níveis de ansiedade e depressão. Métodos: Um estudo randomizado, controlado e cego, foi implementado em 122 idosos não institucionalizados com escore 24-27 na versão em espanhol do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEC-35). O grupo de intervenção (n=54) recebeu a intervenção (programa de estimulação cognitiva de 10 semanas) e foi comparado com um grupo de controle (n=68) que não recebeu nenhuma intervenção. Avaliações de acompanhamento foram realizadas pós-teste e 6 meses pós-teste. O desfecho primário foi a função cognitiva determinada pelas alterações nos escores do MEC-35 e os desfechos secundários foram medidos pelo Índice de Barthel, Escala de Lawton e Brody, Escala de Lawton e Brody, Questionário Goldberg (subescala de ansiedade) ) e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica de Yesavage (versão de 15 itens). Resultados: O grupo intervenção apresentou uma melhora significativa na função cognitiva nas duas medidas de tempo, pós-teste e 6 meses de acompanhamento. O Índice de Barthel foi encontrado mais alto no grupo de intervenção, mas apenas na análise pós-teste. A intervenção não melhorou o desempenho de atividades instrumentais da vida diária e níveis de depressão ou ansiedade. Conclusão: Os achados mostram melhorias cognitivas no comprometimento cognitivo leve da população idosa em curto e médio prazo e melhoraram as atividades básicas da vida diária em curto prazo. Identificador do Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03831061.