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Effects of dance on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors:
- HEWSTON Patricia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 50(4), 2021, pp.1084-1092.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: dance is a mind–body activity that stimulates neuroplasticity. We explored the effect of dance on cognitive function in older adults. Methods: we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycInfo databases from inception to August 2020 (PROSPERO:CRD42017057138). Inclusion criteria were (i) randomised controlled trials (ii) older adults (aged ≥ 55 years), (iii) intervention—dance and (iv) outcome—cognitive function. Cognitive domains were classified with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Neurocognitive Framework. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan5.3 and certainty of evidence with GradePro. Results: we reviewed 3,997 records and included 11 studies (N = 1,412 participants). Seven studies included only healthy older adults and four included those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dance interventions varied in frequency (1–3×/week), time (35–60 minutes), duration (3–12 months) and type. We found a mean difference (MD) = 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI) = 0.21–2.95) on the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognitive function (moderate-certainty evidence), and the Wechsler Memory Test for learning and memory had an MD = 3.02 (95% CI = 1.38–4.65; low-certainty evidence). On the Trail Making Test-A for complex attention, MD = 3.07 (95% CI = −0.81 to 6.95; high-certainty evidence) and on the Trail Making Test-B for executive function, MD = −4.12 (95% CI = −21.28 to 13.03; moderate-certainty evidence). Subgroup analyses did not suggest consistently greater effects in older adults with MCI. Evidence is uncertain for language, and no studies evaluated social cognition or perceptual–motor function. Conclusions: dance probably improves global cognitive function and executive function. However, there is little difference in complex attention, and evidence also suggests little effect on learning and memory. Future research is needed to determine the optimal dose and if dance results in greater cognitive benefits than other types of physical activity and exercise. (Edited publisher abstract)
Subjective memory beliefs and cognitive performance in normal and mildly impaired older adults
- Authors:
- CROOK S., MARSISKE M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(4), July 2006, pp.412-423.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous research suggests that subjective perceptions of memory may be related to objective memory performance. In the present study, healthy community-dwelling elders (N=73, mean age=75.25 years, education=16.2 years) completed a neuropsychological assessment, including two questionnaires of subjective memory beliefs. Each participant was identified, via consensus conference, as belonging to either an amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=16) or no mild cognitive impairment (noMCI, n=57) group. Results indicated that subjective memory capacity beliefs were significantly related to verbal memory performance in the MCI group, but not in the noMCI group. This differential relationship persisted even after controlling for depressive symptoms, and was not reflective of unequal variances in the two groups. Thus, results indicate that subjective memory beliefs may be better indicators of performance in those with possible incipient cognitive impairment than normal older adults, perhaps because persons with MCI have heightened insight into their memory functioning, and that this relationship is not due to group differences in depressive symptoms.
Physical activity and executive functions in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment
- Authors:
- SCHERDER E. J. A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(3), May 2005, pp.272-280.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study aimed to examine whether in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the effect of physical activity measured directly following treatment, was reflected in an improvement in cognitive functioning in general or in executive functions (EF) in particular. The study also aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of intervention, with varying intensities: walking and hand/face exercises. Forty-three frail, advanced elderly subjects (mean age: 86) with MCI were randomly divided into three groups: a walking group (n=15), a group performing hand and face exercises (n=13), and a control group (n=15). All subjects received individual treatment for 30-minutes a day, three times a week, for a period of six weeks. A neuropsychological test battery, administered directly after cessation of treatment, assessed cognitive functioning. The results show that although a (nearly) significant improvement in tasks appealing to EF was observed in both the walking group and the hand/face group compared to the control group, the results should be interpreted with caution. Firm conclusions about the effectiveness of mild physical activity on EF in the oldest old can only be drawn after studies with larger number of subjects.
Reminiscence: the art of remembering
- Author:
- MOWATT Mabel
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 15.11.01, 2001, p.36.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Discusses how helping older people to reminisce about their lives can help them overcome memory loss.
Cognitive performance in depressed older persons: the impact of vascular burden and remission. A two-year follow-up study
- Authors:
- ZUIDERSMA Marij, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(9), 2016, pp.1029-1039.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: Depression is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The present study compared two-year change in cognitive performance between depressed older persons and a non-depressed control group, between remitted and non-remitted patients, and evaluated whether vascular burden at baseline was associated with more cognitive decline in depressed older persons. Methods: Depressed patients (n = 378) aged ≥60 were recruited from mental healthcare institutes and general practices, and a non-depressed control group (n = 132) was recruited from general practices. A DSM-IV depressive episode was established with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and processing speed, working memory, verbal memory and interference control were evaluated with three neurocognitive tasks at baseline and 2 years later. A modified Framingham Risk Score, ankle-brachial index, and history of a vascular event defined vascular burden at baseline. Results: After adjusting for baseline cognitive performance, age, sex, and education level, depressed older persons had worse processing speed and verbal memory scores at follow-up than controls but did not differ in the other two-cognitive outcomes. In the sample of depressed patients, remission status at 2 years follow-up and baseline vascular burden did not predict cognitive performance at follow-up, after adjustment for baseline cognitive performance, age, sex and education level. Conclusions: The findings suggest that cognitive deficits in depressed older persons are not just a manifestation of depression. In addition, vascular burden was not associated with worse cognitive decline in a sample of depressed older persons. (Edited publisher abstract)
The Montessori method in dementia care
- Authors:
- BRENNER Tom, BRENNER Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 20(4), July 2012, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
This article describes how the Montessori method of teaching can be applied to those with dementia. The Montessori Method was developed by Maria Montessori, MD., PhD, over one hundred years ago as a tool to teach children who had learning disabilities. This method was very successful because it is based on muscle memory. Muscle memory is that part of the memory that is used in repetitive muscle movement, for example in remembering how to ride a bike, play a musical instrument or read. Muscle memory (sometimes called procedural memory) tends to be less damaged in people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Because this procedural or muscle memory system may still be working properly in people who have dementia, the Montessori Method can be used very successfully as a means to reach and engage people with memory loss.
Making physical activity accessible to older adults with memory loss: a feasibility study
- Authors:
- LOGSDON Rebecca G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 49(S1), June 2009, pp.S94-S99.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Resources and Activities for Life Long Independence (RALLI) program in the US uses behavioural principles to make exercise more accessible for older people with memory loss. Exercises are broken into small steps, sequenced, and linked with cues to help participants remember them. Memory aids, easy-to-follow instructions, and tracking forms to facilitate adherence and proper technique are provided to enhance exercise training and compensate for memory loss. Thirty-seven individuals participated in RALLI pilot groups held in retirement residences. Attendance was excellent, with participants attending 90% of classes. At post-test (12 weeks), 84% of participants had exercised at least once during the prior week, compared with 62% who had exercised at least once during the week prior to baseline, mean exercise time increased by 156 min per week, and SF-36 physical components scale significantly improved. After 6 months, 76% of participants continued exercising and mean exercise time remained significantly improved. Persons with MCI can significantly benefit from an exercise program specifically designed to address their cognitive needs. Participants’ ratings indicate improvement in perceived physical health and emotional well-being as a result of the intervention. Thus, RALLI is a promising intervention to promote exercise in individuals with MCI.
Evaluation of effect of cognitive intervention programs for the community-dwelling elderly with subjective memory complaints
- Authors:
- TSAI Athena Yi-jung, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(11), November 2008, pp.1172-1174.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study compared the efficacy of cognitive training (CT) and cognitive stimulation (CS) programs for the community elderly with subjective memory complaints (SMC). The single-blind non-randomized controlled study was applied. The numbers of CT and CS participants were 14 and 11. The mean ages of CT and CS participants were 68.71 and 70.36. Memory training and problem solving strategies were applied in the CT group. There were ten 2-hourly sessions of CT, held twice weekly. CS group met once weekly in a 1.5-h class for eight classes. Cognitive performance tests of general cognitive performance, verbal memory and executive function were measured before/after the training and at 6 months follow-up. In both training conditions, the general cognitive performance were enhanced. The CT group showed improvement in the verbal memory test. The CS group did not trigger any training effect in the verbal memory test but the executive function. All cognitive progresses remained at follow-up. Both cognitive training and cognitive stimulation programs showed training effects and remained until 6 months.
Anxiety symptoms and cognitive performance in later life: results from the longitudinal aging study Amsterdam
- Authors:
- BIERMAN Ellis J.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(4), July 2008, pp.517-523.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigates whether, and if so how, anxiety symptoms are related to cognitive decline in elderly persons and whether anxiety symptoms precede cognitive decline. Data were obtained from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Anxiety symptoms were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. General cognitive functioning was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination, episodic memory with the Auditory Verbal Learning Test, fluid intelligence with the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices and information processing speed with the coding task. Multilevel analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and cognitive decline over 9 years, taking into account confounding variables. Although not consistent across all dimensions of cognitive functioning, a curvilinear effect of anxiety on cognitive performance was found. Furthermore, we found that previous measurement of anxiety symptoms were not predictive of cognitive decline at a later time-point. This study suggests that the effect of anxiety on cognition depends on the severity of the present anxiety symptoms with mild anxiety associated with better cognition, whereas more severe anxiety is associated with worse cognition. The effect of anxiety symptoms on cognitive functioning seems to be a temporary effect, anxiety is not predictive of cognitive decline.
Mild cognitive impairment in the older population: who is missed and does it matter?
- Authors:
- STEPHAN Blossom C. M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(8), August 2008, pp.863-871.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Classifications of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) vary in the precision of the defining criteria. Their value in clinical settings is different from population settings. This difference depending on setting is to be expected, but must be well understood if population screening for dementia and pre-dementia states is to be considered. Of importance is the impact of missed diagnosis. The magnitude of missed at-risk cases in the application of different MCI criteria in the population is unknown. Data were from the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study, a large population based study of older aged individuals in the UK. Prevalence and two-year progression to dementia in individuals whose impairment failed to fulfil published criteria for MCI was evaluated. Prevalence estimates of individuals not classified from current MCI definitions were extremely variable (range 2.5-41.0%). Rates of progression to dementia in these non-classified groups were also very variable (3.7-30.0%), reflecting heterogeneity in MCI classification requirements. Narrow definitions of MCI developed for clinical settings when applied in the population result in a large proportion of individuals who progress to dementia being excluded from MCI classifications. More broadly defined criteria would be better for selection of individuals at risk of dementia in population settings, but at the possibility of high false positive rates. While exclusion may be a good thing in the population since most people are presumably normal, over-inclusion is more likely to be harmful. Further work needs to investigate the best classification system for application in the population.