Environmental heat exposure and cognitive performance in older adults: a controlled trial.

Thermal stress has a negative effect on the cognitive performance of military personnel and industry workers exposed to extreme environments. However, no studies have investigated the effects of environmental thermal stress on the cognitive functions of older adults. We carried out a controlled trial with 68 healthy older adults (mean age 73.3 years, 69 % female), each of whom has been assessed twice on the same day with selected tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Repeated sessions were conducted with air temperatures set at 24 °C and 32 °C in a balanced order. Our primary analyses did not show significant differences when comparing the cognitive performance of the total sample under the two experimental temperatures. However, interaction analysis has shown that humidity levels modify the effect of temperature on cognitive outcomes. The subgroup exposed to relative humidity greater than the median value (57.8 %) presented worse cognitive performance in the heat session when compared to the control session. Reported exercising frequency explained individual vulnerability to heat stress. Volunteers with lower levels of physical activity (<4 times per week) were more likely to present worsened cognitive performance under heat stress. In a fully adjusted linear regression model, the performance under heat stress remained associated with relative humidity (ß = -0.21; p = 0.007) and frequency of exercising (ß = 0.18; p = 0.020). Our results indicate that heat stress may have detrimental effects on the cognitive functioning of some subgroups of older adults and under particular circumstances. Further research is needed for exploring a variety of potentially influential factors.

Learning effect of computerized cognitive tests in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning effect of computerized cognitive testing in the elderly. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 20 elderly, 10 women and 10 men, with average age of 77.5 (± 4.28) years. The volunteers performed two series of computerized cognitive tests in sequence and their results were compared. The applied tests were: Trail Making A and B, Spatial Recognition, Go/No Go, Memory Span, Pattern Recognition Memory and Reverse Span. RESULTS: Based on the comparison of the results, learning effects were observed only in the Trail Making A test (p=0.019). Other tests performed presented no significant performance improvements. There was no correlation between learning effect and age (p=0.337) and education (p=0.362), as well as differences between genders (p=0.465). CONCLUSION: The computerized cognitive tests repeated immediately afterwards, for elderly, revealed no change in their performance, with the exception of the Trail Making test, demonstrating high clinical applicability, even in short intervals.

Learning effect of computerized cognitive tests in older adults / Efeito de aprendizagem de testes cognitivos computadorizados em idosos

Objective To evaluate the learning effect of computerized cognitive testing in the elderly. Methods Cross-sectional study with 20 elderly, 10 women and 10 men, with average age of 77.5 (±4.28) years. The volunteers performed two series of computerized cognitive tests in sequence and their results were compared. The applied tests were: Trail Making A and B, Spatial Recognition, Go/No Go, Memory Span, Pattern Recognition Memory and Reverse Span. Results Based on the comparison of the results, learning effects were observed only in the Trail Making A test (p=0.019). Other tests performed presented no significant performance improvements. There was no correlation between learning effect and age (p=0.337) and education (p=0.362), as well as differences between genders (p=0.465). Conclusion The computerized cognitive tests repeated immediately afterwards, for elderly, revealed no change in their performance, with the exception of the Trail Making test, demonstrating high clinical applicability, even in short intervals. .

Objetivo Avaliar o efeito da aprendizagem nos testes cognitivos computadorizados em idosos da comunidade. Métodos Estudo transversal, com 20 idosos - 10 mulheres e 10 homens, com média de idade de 77,5 (±4,28) anos. Os voluntários realizaram duas séries em sequência de testes cognitivos computadorizados e seus resultados foram comparados. Os testes aplicados foram: Trail Making A e B, Spatial Recognition, Go/No Go, Memory Span, Pattern Recognition e Reverse Memory Span. Resultados Houve efeito de aprendizagem na comparação dos resultados somente no teste Trail Making A (p=0,019). Os demais testes não apresentaram alteração significante no desempenho. Não houve correlação entre o efeito de aprendizagem e a idade (p=0,337) e a escolaridade (p=0,362), e nem diferença entre os gêneros (p=0,465). Conclusão Os testes cognitivos computadorizados repetidos por idosos imediatamente após sua realização não revelaram alteração do seu desempenho, com exceção do teste Trail Making, que demonstrou alta aplicabilidade clínica, mesmo em intervalos curtos. .

Use of computerized tests to assess the cognitive impact of interventions in the elderly / Uso de testes computadorizados para a avaliação do impacto cognitivo de intervenções na população idosa

With the aging of the population, the possibility of the occurrence of cognitive decline rises. A number of types of intervention seek to attenuate or reverse this impairment. The use of computerized tests helps quantify the effects of interventions on cognitive function in the elderly. The objective of the present review was to analyze studies that have utilized computerized cognitive tests to determine the effects of interventions in the elderly population, describing the batteries and tests employed, the populations studied and reports by authors on the limitations or benefits of employing these tests in older adults. The review was performed on the PubMed database using the descriptors: cognitive computerized test and elderly. We retrieved 530 studies and, following analysis of their abstracts, selected 32 relevant to the subject. The studies utilized 19 different types of computerized tests and batteries to assess the interventions, which were predominantly drug trials. There were no reports on limitations in the use of the computerized tests, suggesting this type of intervention had good applicability, sensitivity, and little or no practice effects in this population.

Com o envelhecimento da população aumenta a possibilidade de ocorrência de um declínio cognitivo. Diversas formas de intervenção buscam amenizar ou reverter este prejuízo. O emprego de testes computadorizados auxilia na detecção dos efeitos das intervenções nas funções cognitivas dos idosos. O objetivo desta revisão foi o de analisar os estudos que utilizaram testes cognitivos computadorizados para verificar o efeito de intervenções na população idosa, descrevendo as baterias e testes empregados, as populações analisadas e o relato dos autores sobre limitações ou facilidades do emprego destes testes na população. Foi revista a base de dados PubMed com os descritores: teste cognitivo computadorizado e idoso. Encontramos 530 estudos e, pela leitura dos resumos, selecionamos 32 pela relevância com o tema. Estes utilizaram 19 tipos de testes ou baterias computadorizadas para avaliar as intervenções, que na sua maioria foram medicamentosas. Não houve relato de limitações na utilização dos testes computadorizados, sugerindo que a aplicação desta forma de avaliação tenha boa aplicabilidade, sensibilidade e pouco ou nenhum efeito de aprendizagem nesta população.

Use of computerized tests to assess the cognitive impact of interventions in the elderly.

With the aging of the population, the possibility of the occurrence of cognitive decline rises. A number of types of intervention seek to attenuate or reverse this impairment. The use of computerized tests helps quantify the effects of interventions on cognitive function in the elderly. The objective of the present review was to analyze studies that have utilized computerized cognitive tests to determine the effects of interventions in the elderly population, describing the batteries and tests employed, the populations studied and reports by authors on the limitations or benefits of employing these tests in older adults. The review was performed on the PubMed database using the descriptors: cognitive computerized test and elderly. We retrieved 530 studies and, following analysis of their abstracts, selected 32 relevant to the subject. The studies utilized 19 different types of computerized tests and batteries to assess the interventions, which were predominantly drug trials. There were no reports on limitations in the use of the computerized tests, suggesting this type of intervention had good applicability, sensitivity, and little or no practice effects in this population.

Com o envelhecimento da população aumenta a possibilidade de ocorrência de um declínio cognitivo. Diversas formas de intervenção buscam amenizar ou reverter este prejuízo. O emprego de testes computadorizados auxilia na detecção dos efeitos das intervenções nas funções cognitivas dos idosos. O objetivo desta revisão foi o de analisar os estudos que utilizaram testes cognitivos computadorizados para verificar o efeito de intervenções na população idosa, descrevendo as baterias e testes empregados, as populações analisadas e o relato dos autores sobre limitações ou facilidades do emprego destes testes na população. Foi revista a base de dados PubMed com os descritores: teste cognitivo computadorizado e idoso. Encontramos 530 estudos e, pela leitura dos resumos, selecionamos 32 pela relevância com o tema. Estes utilizaram 19 tipos de testes ou baterias computadorizadas para avaliar as intervenções, que na sua maioria foram medicamentosas. Não houve relato de limitações na utilização dos testes computadorizados, sugerindo que a aplicação desta forma de avaliação tenha boa aplicabilidade, sensibilidade e pouco ou nenhum efeito de aprendizagem nesta população.

O efeito da exposição ao calor sobre o desempenho cognitivo de idosos: um estudo controlado / The effect of heat exposure on the cognitive performance of older adults: a controlled trial

Introdução: Concomitante ao processo de envelhecimento populacional, estão ocorrendo mudanças climáticas, sendo a principal delas o aquecimento global. O envelhecimento leva a mudanças tanto nos mecanismos de termorregulação quanto no desempenho cognitivo. Embora inúmeros estudos tenham avaliado o efeito do calor sobre a cognição de adultos jovens, este é um tema praticamente inexplorado na população geriátrica. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito da exposição ao calor sobre o desempenho cognitivo de idosos saudáveis e identificar fatores que expliquem as variações na susceptibilidade ao estresse térmico nesta população. Casuística e Métodos: 68 idosos com bom desempenho físico e cognitivo realizaram uma bateria de testes neuropsicológicos em duas condições ambientais: 24oC (controle) e 32oC (calor). Através de cinco testes selecionados da Bateria Neuropsicológica Automatizada de Testes de Cambridge (CANTAB), foram avaliados diferentes aspectos do desempenho cognitivo com foco principal em memória, atenção e velocidade de processamento. Um escore composto global de desempenho cognitivo foi criado usando a medida mais representativa de cada um desses testes. Antes e após cada uma das sessões de testes, foram aferidos o peso corporal, a temperatura axilar, a temperatura auricular, a frequência cardíaca e a pressão arterial. Por meio da análise de variância para medidas repetidas (ANOVA), verificou-se a interação entre o efeito da temperatura na cognição (avaliada pelo escore composto global) e características sociodemográficas (idade, sexo, educação, cor), frequência de exercício físico e umidade relativa registrada durante o protocolo de exposição ao calor. Adicionalmente, foi também desenvolvido um modelo de regressão linear multivariada a fim de identificar variáveis independentes que explicariam a susceptibilidade ao estresse pelo calor. Resultados: A idade média da amostra foi de 73,28 anos. 42,9% dos indivíduos relataram praticar atividade física quatro ou mais...

Introduction: Concomitantly to the process of population aging, major climate changes are taking place, among which global warming is regarded as the most important. Aging leads to changes in temperature control mechanisms and is associated with a subtle and progressive decline in cognitive functions. Although a great deal of studies have evaluated the effect of heat on the cognitive performance of young adults, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have directly investigated the effects of warm environments on the cognitive functioning of older adults. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of heat exposure on the cognitive performance of healthy older adults and to identify factors that would explain variations in susceptibility to heat stress in that population. Methods: 68 older adults with both good physical and cognitive performance were requested to take a series of neuropsychological tests under two environmental conditions: at 24oC and 32oC. Five tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were administered to measure different aspects of cognitive functioning while focusing on memory, attention and processing speed. A global composite score of cognitive performance was created, using the most representative measures of each one of those five tests. Before and after each session, measures of auxiliary temperature, tympanic temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight were obtained. Interaction analysis was carried out using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in order to check whether the effect of temperature on cognition, assessed by the global composite score, was modified by sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education, race), frequency of physical activity or relative humidity registered during the heat protocol. In addition, a multiple linear regression model has been fitted to identify independent variables that would explain susceptibility to heat stress Results: The mean age...