Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Amir Raz ◽  
Sheida Rabipour
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Imaging Procedures ◽  
Neural Imaging

This introductory chapter discusses the ability to improve cognitive performance through deliberate training. It compares brain training to physical training, looking at highly commercialized brain-training programs, including computer games, that target attention and working memory. It also discusses a variety of non-commercial methods, including neural imaging procedures, contemplative techniques, and lifestyle-related practices. It looks at who can benefit from brain training, including the elderly and those suffering from mental illness.

scholarly journals Relationship between Arterial Hypertension with Cognitive Performance in Elderly. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1445
Author(s):  
José Miguel Sánchez-Nieto ◽  
Uriel Dagoberto Rivera-Sánchez ◽  
Víctor Manuel Mendoza-Núñez
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Previous systematic reviews report that arterial hypertension (AHT) is associated with lower performance in cognition in the elderly. However, some studies show that with higher blood pressure, a better cognitive performance is obtained. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between AHT with cognitive performance in the elderly. Methods: the review involved a search on PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO databases from January 1990 to March, 2020 to identify the relationship among AHT and cognitive performance in older people. Results: 1170 articles were identified, 136 complete papers were reviewed, a qualitative analysis of 26 studies and a quantitative analysis of eight studies were carried out. It was found that people with AHT have a lower performance in processing speed SMD = 0.40 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.54), working memory SMD = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.41) in short-term memory and learning SMD = −0.27 (95% CI: −0.37, −0.17) and delayed recall SMD = −0.20 (95% CI: −0.35, −0.05). Only one study found that higher blood pressure was associated with better memory performance. Conclusion: Our results suggest that high blood pressure primarily affects processing speed, working memory, short-term memory and learning and delayed recall.

scholarly journals The Effect of Computer Games on Improving Working Memory, Visual Memory, and Control of Executive Functions amongst the Elderly in Tehran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prosha Moradi ◽  
◽  
Abas Masjedi Arani ◽  
Mahdi Jafari ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Experimental Group

Introduction & purpose: Cognitive ability decline is among the age-related changes in the elderly. Recent research has shown that computer games has a positive effect on cognitive abilities. Accordingly, the present study aimed at determining the effect of computer games on improving working memory, visual memory, and executive functions amongst the elderly in the city of Tehran. Methodology: The present study had a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with the control group that was carried out on 40 elderly people selected using targeted sampling method in Tehran. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group after reviewing the inclusion criteria and clinical interview by the researchers. The experimental group was asked to play a one-hour computer game of Lumosity during 15 sessions and the control group was not allowed to play any computer games during this time. The data were collected in two stages of pre-test and post-test. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 25. Findings: Computer games had a significant effect on the improvement of working memory, visual memory, and executive functions amongst the elderly in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: Computer games can be helpful to improve memory and cognitive functions amongst the elderly. Accordingly, it is recommended to use these games in nursing homes for elderly people and the related centers should use these games to rehabilitate the elderly.

Effects of a Group Program to Increase Cognitive Performance Through Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities in Healthy Older Subjects

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Older Subjects

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.

Patterns of use of the health care system by the elderly with mental illness

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Martens ◽  
◽  
Randy Fransoo ◽  
Elaine Burland ◽  
Charles Burchill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Care System

scholarly journals Publisher Correction to: BRAINSTORMING: A study protocol for a randomised double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of concurrent brain stimulation (tDCS) and working memory training on cognitive performance in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Assecondi ◽  
Rong Hu ◽  
Gail Eskes ◽  
Michelle Read ◽  
Chris Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Clinical Trial ◽  
The Impact

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that the article had published with the Acknowledgements erroneously excluded from the declarations at the end of the article.

scholarly journals Acute Intake of a Grape and Blueberry Polyphenol-Rich Extract Ameliorates Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults During a Sustained Cognitive Effort

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Philip ◽  
Patricia Sagaspe ◽  
Jacques Taillard ◽  
Claire Mandon ◽  
Joël Constans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Memory And Attention

Despite an increasing level of evidence supporting the individual beneficial effect of polyphenols on cognitive performance, information related to the potential synergistic action of these phytonutrients on cognitive performance during a prolonged cognitive effort is currently lacking. This study investigated the acute and sustained action of a polyphenols-rich extract from grape and blueberry (PEGB), on working memory and attention in healthy students during a prolonged and intensive cognitive effort. In this randomised, cross-over, double blind study, 30 healthy students consumed 600 mg of PEGB or a placebo. Ninety minutes after product intake, cognitive functions were assessed for one hour using a cognitive demand battery including serial subtraction tasks, a rapid visual information processing (RVIP) task and a visual analogical scale. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma flavan-3-ols metabolites quantification were also performed. A 2.5-fold increase in serial three subtraction variation net scores was observed following PEGB consumption versus placebo (p < 0.001). A trend towards significance was also observed with RVIP percentage of correct answers (p = 0.058). No treatment effect was observed on FMD. Our findings suggest that consumption of PEGB coupled with a healthy lifestyle may be a safe alternative to acutely improve working memory and attention during a sustained cognitive effort.

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