Age and Flexible Thinking: An Experimental Demonstration of the Beneficial Effects of Increased Cognitively Stimulating Activity on Fluid Intelligence in Healthy Older Adults

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley J. Tranter ◽  
Wilma Koutstaal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Experimental Demonstration ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Flexible Thinking

scholarly journals Wisdom and fluid intelligence are dissociable in healthy older adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Cutter A. Lindbergh ◽  
Heather Romero-Kornblum ◽  
Sophia Weiner-Light ◽  
J. Clayton Young ◽  
Corrina Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objectives: The relationship between wisdom and fluid intelligence (Gf) is poorly understood, particularly in older adults. We empirically tested the magnitude of the correlation between wisdom and Gf to help determine the extent of overlap between these two constructs. Design: Cross-sectional study with preregistered hypotheses and well-powered analytic plan (https://osf.io/h3pjx). Setting: Memory and Aging Center at the University of California San Francisco, located in the USA. Participants: 141 healthy older adults (mean age = 76 years; 56% female). Measurements: Wisdom was quantified using a well-validated self-report-based scale (San Diego Wisdom Scale or SD-WISE). Gf was assessed via composite measures of processing speed (Gf-PS) and executive functioning (Gf-EF). The relationships of SD-WISE scores to Gf-PS and Gf-EF were tested in bivariate correlational analyses and multiple regression models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, and education). Exploratory analyses evaluated the relationships between SD-WISE and age, episodic memory performance, and dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortical volumes on magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Wisdom showed a small, positive association with Gf-EF (r = 0.181 [95% CI 0.016, 0.336], p = .031), which was reduced to nonsignificance upon controlling for demographics, and no association with Gf-PS (r = 0.019 [95% CI −0.179, 0.216], p = .854). Wisdom demonstrated a small, negative correlation with age (r = −0.197 [95% CI −0.351, −0.033], p = .019), but was not significantly related to episodic memory or prefrontal volumes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that most of the variance in wisdom (>95%) is unaccounted for by Gf. The independence of wisdom from cognitive functions that reliably show age-associated declines suggests that it may hold unique potential to bolster decision-making, interpersonal functioning, and other everyday activities in older adults.

Effects of Passive Haptic Learning in Music-Supported Therapy on Sensorimotor Performance in Older Adult Hands: A Randomized Crossover Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Yun Hsu ◽  
Che-Wei Lin ◽  
Yu-Ching Lin ◽  
Po-Ting Wu ◽  
Hirokazu Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Vibrotactile Stimulation ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Haptic Learning ◽  
Sensorimotor Performance

Abstract Background: Music-supported therapy (MST), a type of biofeedback therapy with multi-sensory information input, has been proposed as an effective approach to improving motor control in people with sensorimotor deficits. However, currently, MST training is restricted to being extensively applied for patients with various levels of defects in fine motor skills and cognitive functions. Therefore, the integration of passive haptic learning (PHL) with MST has been adopted as a motor training strategy intended to enhance “motor memory” learning through the use of vibration stimuli. The current study was designed to investigate differences in the sensorimotor performance of older adults’ hands under baseline, a single session of standard MST, and PHL-based MST conditions. Methods: Thirty healthy older adults were recruited and randomized to receive either the single session of 30-minutes of PHL-based MST or 30-minutes of standard MST at the beginning of the experiment. After a one-week washout period, they switched their treatment programs and then were assessed to study the training effects of both approaches through measuring precision pinch performance, hand function, and sensory status. Results: The results of the Pinch-Holding-Up Activity test revealed a statistically significant difference in the FRpeak parameter (F = 14.37, p < 0.001, η² = 0.507) under the PHL-based MST condition compared to the baseline and standard MST conditions. In addition, significant beneficial effects were found on the results of the barognosis (F = 19.126, p < 0.001, η² = 0. 577) and roughness differentiation subtests (F = 15.036, p < 0.001, η² = 0.518) in the Manual Tactile Test for the participants in the PHL-based MST group. In addition, the participants under both the standard MST and PHL-based MST conditions exhibited better performance in the three subtests of the Purdue Pegboard Test as compared to under the baseline condition (p < 0.016). Conclusions: The findings indicated that PHL-based MST potentially improves the precision pinch performance of hands in healthy older adults. In addition, the add-on effect of vibrotactile stimulation to the MST condition provides beneficial effects on the sensory functions of the upper extremities. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04802564

scholarly journals Probing the relationship between late endogenous ERP components with fluid intelligence in healthy older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Teixeira-Santos ◽  
Diego Pinal ◽  
Diana R. Pereira ◽  
Jorge Leite ◽  
Sandra Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Measuring Fluid Intelligence in Healthy Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed K. Shakeel ◽  
Vina M. Goghari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Flexibility Design ◽  
Design Fluency

The present study evaluated subjective and objective cognitive measures as predictors of fluid intelligence in healthy older adults. We hypothesized that objective cognitive measures would predict fluid intelligence to a greater degree than self-reported cognitive functioning. Ninety-three healthy older (>65 years old) community-dwelling adults participated. Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) were used to measure fluid intelligence, Digit Span Sequencing (DSS) was used to measure working memory, Trail Making Test (TMT) was used to measure cognitive flexibility, Design Fluency Test (DFT) was used to measure creativity, and Tower Test (TT) was used to measure planning. The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) was used to measure subjective perceptions of cognitive functioning. RAPM was correlated with DSS, TT, and DFT. When CFQ was the only predictor, the regression model predicting fluid intelligence was not significant. When DSS, TMT, DFT, and TT were included in the model, there was a significant change in the model and the final model was also significant, with DFT as the only significant predictor. The model accounted for approximately 20% of the variability in fluid intelligence. Our findings suggest that the most reliable means of assessing fluid intelligence is to assess it directly.

scholarly journals Author Correction: Probing the relationship between late endogenous ERP components with fluid intelligence in healthy older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Teixeira-Santos ◽  
Diego Pinal ◽  
Diana R. Pereira ◽  
Jorge Leite ◽  
Sandra Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

scholarly journals Cognitive Tele-Enhancement in Healthy Older Adults and Subjects With Subjective Memory Complaints: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Alaimo ◽  
Elena Campana ◽  
Maria Rachele Stoppelli ◽  
Elena Gobbi ◽  
Francesca Baglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Memory Complaints

Background: In recent years, emphasis has been placed on cognitive enhancement to stimulate cognitive abilities and prevent functional decline. Considering that traditional face-to-face interventions can be very expensive and are not accessible to all individuals, the need to transfer care from the clinic to the patient's home is evident. In this regard, cognitive tele-enhancement interventions have received increased attention.Aim: The aim of this review was to provide an overview of protocols that apply remotely controlled cognitive training with individualized feedback on performance by the therapist in healthy older adults or participants with subjective memory complaints.Methods: Out of 35 articles assessed for eligibility, eight studies were identified. Of the selected studies, five included cognitively healthy older adults, while three included participants with subjective memory complaints.Results: Most of the reviewed studies showed beneficial effects of cognitive tele-enhancement interventions, reporting improvements in memory, sustained attention, working memory, executive functions, and language abilities. Moreover, reductions in anxiety and depression symptomatology levels, as well as in subjective memory difficulties, were described in some of the studies.Conclusions: Cognitive tele-enhancement treatment could be a good alternative to face-to-face intervention. This literature review highlights the importance of applying preventive cognitive interventions to subjects with initial subjective memory complaints. Remote modalities seem to facilitate the application of such interventions.

scholarly journals Semantic Memory Activation After Acute Exercise in Healthy Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyeon Won ◽  
Alfonso J. Alfini ◽  
Lauren R. Weiss ◽  
Corey S. Michelson ◽  
Daniel D. Callow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Memory Activation

AbstractObjectives: A growing body of research suggests that regular participation in long-term exercise is associated with enhanced cognitive function. However, less is known about the beneficial effects of acute exercise on semantic memory. This study investigated brain activation during a semantic memory task after a single session of exercise in healthy older adults using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Using a within-subjects counterbalanced design, 26 participants (ages, 55–85 years) underwent two experimental visits on separate days. During each visit, participants engaged in 30 min of rest or stationary cycling exercise immediately before performing a Famous and Non-Famous name discrimination task during fMRI scanning. Results: Acute exercise was associated with significantly greater semantic memory activation (Famous>Non-Famous) in the middle frontal, inferior temporal, middle temporal, and fusiform gyri. A planned comparison additionally showed significantly greater activation in the bilateral hippocampus after exercise compared to rest. These effects were confined to correct trials, and as expected, there were no differences between conditions in response time or accuracy. Conclusions: Greater brain activation following a single session of exercise suggests that exercise may increase neural processes underlying semantic memory activation in healthy older adults. These effects were localized to the known semantic memory network, and thus do not appear to reflect a general or widespread increase in brain blood flow. Coupled with our prior exercise training effects on semantic memory-related activation, these data suggest the acute increase in neural activation after exercise may provide a stimulus for adaptation over repeated exercise sessions. (JINS, 2019, 25, 557–568)

scholarly journals Shedding Light on the Effects of Moderate Acute Exercise on Working Memory Performance in Healthy Older Adults: An fNIRS Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Stute ◽  
Nicole Hudl ◽  
Robert Stojan ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Numerous studies have reported the beneficial effects of acute exercise on executive functions. Less is known, however, about the effects of exercise on working memory as one subcomponent of executive functions and about its effects on older adults. We investigated the effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on working memory performance, the respective cortical hemodynamic activation patterns, and the development and persistence of such effects in healthy older adults. Forty-four participants (M: 69.18 years ± 3.92; 21 females) performed a letter 2-back task before and at three time points after (post 15 min, post 30 min, and post 45 min) either listening to an audiobook or exercising (15 min; 50% VO2-peak). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to assess cortical hemodynamic activation and brain-behavior correlations in the fronto-parietal working memory network. Overall, we found no group differences for working memory performance. However, only within the experimental group, 2-back performance was enhanced 15 min and 45 min post-exercise. Furthermore, 15 min post-exercise frontal activation predicted working memory performance, regardless of group. In sum, our results indicate slight beneficial effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on working memory performance in healthy older adults. Findings are discussed in light of the cognitive aging process and moderators affecting the exercise-cognition relationship.

scholarly journals Effects of vibrotactile-enhanced music-based intervention on sensorimotor control capacity in the hand of an aging brain: a pilot feasibility randomized crossover trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Yun Hsu ◽  
Che-Wei Lin ◽  
Yu-Ching Lin ◽  
Po-Ting Wu ◽  
Hirokazu Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Vibrotactile Stimulation ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Training Strategy ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Music-based interventions (MBI), using music as a therapeutic medium, has been utilized as a promising strategy for motor relearning and shaping. However, currently, MBI with active performance training is restricted to being extensively applied for patients with various levels of defects in fine motor skills and cognitive functions. Therefore, the integration of vibrotactile stimulation with MBI has been adopted as a motor training strategy intended to enhance motor learning through use of vibration stimuli. The current study was designed to investigate differences in the sensorimotor performance of older adults’ hands under baseline, a single session of active MBI, and vibrotactile-enriched MBI conditions. Methods Thirty healthy older adults were recruited and randomized to receive either the single session of 30-min of vibrotactile-enriched MBI or 30-min of active MBI at the beginning of the experiment. After a one-week washout period, they switched their treatment programs and then were assessed to study the training effects of both approaches through measuring precision pinch performance, hand function, and sensory status. Results The results of the Pinch-Holding-Up Activity test revealed a statistically significant difference in the FRpeak parameter (F = 14.37, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.507) under the vibrotactile-enriched MBI condition compared to the baseline and active MBI conditions. In addition, significant beneficial effects were found on the results of the barognosis (F = 19.126, p < 0.001, η2p = 0. 577) and roughness differentiation subtests (F = 15.036, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.518) in the Manual Tactile Test for the participants in the vibrotactile-enriched MBI group. In addition, the participants under both the active MBI and vibrotactile-enriched MBI conditions exhibited better performance in the three subtests of the Purdue Pegboard Test as compared to under the baseline condition (p < 0.016). Conclusions The findings indicated that vibrotactile-enriched MBI potentially improves the precision pinch performance of hands in healthy older adults. In addition, the add-on effect of vibrotactile stimulation to the MBI condition provides beneficial effects on the sensory functions of the upper extremities. Trial registration NCT04802564. Date of registration: 15/03/2021. The first posted date: 17/03/2021.

scholarly journals Effects of different exercise interventions on heart rate variability and cardiovascular health factors in older adults: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Grässler ◽  
Beatrice Thielmann ◽  
Irina Böckelmann ◽  
Anita Hökelmann
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Autonomic Control ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Cardiac Autonomic Control ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Health Factors

Abstract Background Aging impairs physiological processes in the autonomic nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems which are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart rate variability (HRV), the beat-to-beat variations of successive heartbeats, is an indicator of cardiac autonomic control and cardiovascular health. Physical activity has beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. However, no review has been conducted to summarize the effects of different exercise modalities on HRV in older adults. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to summarize the effects of endurance, resistance, coordinative, and multimodal exercise interventions on resting HRV and secondary health factors in healthy older adults aged 60 years in average and over. Methods Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Ovid, and Cochrane Library) were searched for eligible studies published between 2005 and September 8th, 2020. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for potential inclusion. Outcome measures were changes in resting HRV indices, baroreflex sensitivity, blood pressure, body fat, body mass, body mass index, cardiac output, distance in the six-minute walking test, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and VO2 max or VO2 peak from pre to post intervention. The methodological quality of the final data set was assessed using two scales (TESTEX and STARDHRV). This review was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42020206606. Results The literature search retrieved 3991 articles, of which 13 were included in the review. Five studies used multimodal, three studies endurance, two studies resistance, two studies coordinative, and one study used an endurance and a resistance training intervention. The majority of the studies revealed significant positive effects on cardiac autonomic control, except for the resistance training interventions. All exercise modalities improved secondary health factors. The methodological quality assessment revealed a few criteria to improve the quality of and comparability between studies. Conclusion This systematic review revealed beneficial effects on cardiac autonomic control in healthy older adults through endurance, coordinative, and multimodal training but not through resistance training. Secondary health factors improved after all types of physical interventions. Future investigations should more thoroughly adhere to methodological standards of exercise interventions and ECG recording for the assessment of autonomic regulation.

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