scholarly journals Effect of educational status on performance of older adults in digital cognitive tasks: A systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-120
Author(s):  
Lucas Pelegrini Nogueira de Carvalho ◽  
Diana Quirino Monteiro ◽  
Fabiana de Souza Orlandi ◽  
Marisa Silvana Zazzetta ◽  
Sofia Cristina Iost Pavarini
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Cognitive State ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Neuropsychological Instruments

ABSTRACT As people age, cognitive abilities may decline resulting in serious disabilities. Neuropsychological instruments can provide information on the cognitive state of older adults. Researchers worldwide have been using digital cognitive tests to assess cognitive domains. Objective: To determine whether educational status affects the performance of older adults on digital cognitive tasks. Methods: A systematic review of articles in English, Portuguese, or Spanish published in the last 5 years was conducted. The databases searched were SCOPUS, PubMed, Lilacs, Scielo and PsychInfo. The PRISMA method was used. Results: A total of 7,089 articles were initially retrieved. After search and exclusion with justification, seven articles were selected for further review. Conclusion: The findings revealed that researchers using digital tasks generally employed paper-based tests to compare results. Also, no association between years of education and test performance was found. Finally, a dearth of studies using digital tests published by Brazilian researchers was evident.

Musical experience predicts cognitive differences in a large, demographically matched sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S Nichols ◽  
Allison M Frantz ◽  
Conor J Wild ◽  
Adrian M Owen
Keyword(s):  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Musical Experience ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Cognitive Differences ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Research is mixed on whether playing a musical instrument leads to generalised cognitive benefits, and in which domains these improvements occur. Here, we leveraged a large (>6,000) sample of demographically-matched participants who either reported playing an instrument, or reported playing no instruments. Participants completed a well-established online battery of cognitive tasks to determine whether differences existed, and if so, in which cognitive domains. Linear regression, controlling for demographic variables, was used to examine differences between instrumentalists and non-instrumentalists. Follow-up analyses examined whether the number of instruments played predicted scores, and whether certain types of instrumentalists outperformed others. Robust group differences were found on eight cognitive tests, and in all cases instrumentalists outperformed non- instrumentalists. However, all of these effects were so small that they are unlikely to translate to any meaningful differences between individuals with or without musical experience. Cognitive scores correlated with number of instruments on nine tests, but no systematic differences existed between types of instrumentalists. While a causal relationship cannot be unequivocally confirmed, we propose that there may be some, albeit modest, transfer from musical experience to certain cognitive domains, and that these benefits scale with number of instruments played.

scholarly journals Global Cognitive Impairment Prevalence and Incidence in Community Dwelling Older Adults—A Systematic Review

Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Ricardo Pais ◽  
Luís Ruano ◽  
Ofélia P. Carvalho ◽  
Henrique Barros
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

(1) Background: We proposed to review worldwide estimates of cognitive impairment prevalence and incidence in adults older than 50 years of age living in the community. (2) Methods: Systematic searches were performed in January 2019 using MEDLINE/PubMed. Articles were selected if they referred to cognitive impairment, prevalence, incidence, elders, and population or community-based studies. Analysis, aggregated by different methodologic features, was performed. (3) Results: Prevalence (80 studies) ranged between 5.1% and 41% with a median of 19.0% (25th percentile = 12.0%; 75th percentile = 24.90%). Incidence (11 studies) ranged from 22 to 76.8 per 1000 person-years with a median of 53.97 per 1000 person-years (25th percentile = 39.0; 75th percentile = 68.19). No statistically significant effects were found except for inclusion age. (4) Conclusion: We propose that the homogenization and clarification of the definition of what constitutes cognitive impairment are essential to refine the epidemiological understanding of this entity. The results of this review reinforce the importance of adherence to standardized cut-off scores for cognitive tests to promote study comparability.

scholarly journals Does bilingualism influence neuropsychological test performance in older adults? A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Simge Celik ◽  
Eesha Kokje ◽  
Patric Meyer ◽  
Lutz Frölich ◽  
Birgit Teichmann
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Test

scholarly journals Quantifying Cognitive Impairment After Sleep Deprivation at Different Times of Day: A Proof of Concept Using Ultra-Short Smartphone-Based Tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin C. Holding ◽  
Michael Ingre ◽  
Predrag Petrovic ◽  
Tina Sundelin ◽  
John Axelsson
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Stroop Test ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Normal Sleep

Cognitive functioning is known to be impaired following sleep deprivation and to fluctuate depending on the time of day. However, most methods of assessing cognitive performance remain impractical for environments outside of the lab. This study investigated whether 2-min smartphone-based versions of commonly used cognitive tests could be used to assess the effects of sleep deprivation and time of day on diverse cognitive functions. After three nights of normal sleep, participants (N = 182) were randomised to either one night of sleep deprivation or a fourth night of normal sleep. Using the Karolinska WakeApp (KWA), participants completed a battery of 2-min cognitive tests, including measures of attention, arithmetic ability, episodic memory, working memory, and a Stroop test for cognitive conflict and behavioural adjustment. A baseline measurement was completed at 22:30 h, followed by three measurements the following day at approximately 08:00 h, 12:30 h, and 16:30 h. Sleep deprivation led to performance impairments in attention, arithmetic ability, episodic memory, and working memory. No effect of sleep deprivation was observed in the Stroop test. There were variations in attention and arithmetic test performance across different times of day. The effect of sleep deprivation on all cognitive tests was also found to vary at different times of day. In conclusion, this study shows that the KWA’s 2-min cognitive tests can be used to detect cognitive impairments following sleep deprivation, and fluctuations in cognitive performance relating to time of day. The results demonstrate the potential of using brief smartphone-based tasks to measure a variety of cognitive abilities within sleep and fatigue research.

scholarly journals The Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Older Adults: A Brief Preliminary Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Visual Spatial

As one ages, some degree of cognitive decline is expected. Despite this, declines in cognitive abilities and the possibility of dementia is a common concern among older adults. In response to these concerns, a variety of cognitive training programs has been developed that aim to improve or maintain cognitive functioning. Prior literature has shown mixed or limited findings on cognitive changes after implementation of cognitive training. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed for older adults with no to minimal cognitive decline. The current study included 17 participants who engaged in two one-hour cognitive training sessions each week for 12 weeks. Each session required participants to complete activities that targeted the following cognitive domains: attention, visual and verbal memory, visual spatial skills, processing speed and executive functioning, and language. These cognitive domains, along with depression and memory self-efficacy, were assessed prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Small to large effect sizes on the majority of cognitive outcome measures were observed following participation in the program. Small reductions in depressive symptoms were also found. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of a comprehensive cognitive training program for cognitively-intact older adults.

scholarly journals Review of Decision-Making in Game Tasks in Elderly Participants with Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaise Silva Santos de Siqueira ◽  
Juliana Emy Yokomizo ◽  
Wilson Jacob-Filho ◽  
Mônica Sanches Yassuda ◽  
Ivan Aprahamian
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Everyday Functioning

Background: Changes in decision-making (DM) have recently been investigated in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DM is highly relevant to everyday functioning and autonomy. It relies on several cognitive abilities, such as semantic and episodic memory, as well as aspects of executive functioning. We conducted a systematic review of DM in older adults with MCI and AD. Summary: Only 5 studies whose main objective was to evaluate the DM performance were selected. The results extracted indicated that DM in ambiguity and in at-risk situations are both impaired in probable AD patients. MCI patients have difficulty making advantageous decisions under ambiguity and at risk, similar to patients with probable AD but they are less impaired. Key Messages: DM deficits may be a predictor of cognitive impairment and conversion to dementia and its potential clinical value should be further explored in longitudinal studies involving direct comparison between MCI and AD patients.

scholarly journals Physical Exercise Interventions Targeting Cognitive Functioning and the Cognitive Domains in Nondementia Samples: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses

2020 ◽  
pp. 089198872091552
Author(s):  
David T. Turner ◽  
Mandy X. Hu ◽  
Ellen Generaal ◽  
Daniel Bos ◽  
M. Kamran Ikram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Disease Free

Objective: We investigated whether physical exercise interventions improve cognitive functioning in nondementia populations. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses including only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two reviewers completed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials. Study characteristics, effect size data, and heterogeneity estimates were extracted and presented in tabular form. Methodological quality was assessed by 2 reviewers using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. The validity of results was considered based on AMSTAR-2 scores and study characteristics. Results: We included 11 meta-analyses: 6 focused on disease-free older adults and 5 on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) excluding dementia. These meta-analyses summarized 97 unique RCTs. Methodological quality ranged from critically low to high. For overall cognitive functioning, which was the outcome of 6 meta-analyses, 1 showed improvement due to exercise interventions in disease-free older adults ( g = 0.29, P < .01), while 2 reported nonsignificant effects. In patients with MCI, 3 meta-analyses reported significant benefits of exercise interventions on overall cognitive functioning ( g = 0.25-0.57, P < .01). For cognitive domains such as attention and memory, there was limited evidence of beneficial effects of exercise demonstrated in either disease-free or MCI samples. Conclusions: Exercise may improve overall cognitive functioning in disease-free older adults, but there is too little high-quality evidence to conclude whether this is achieved through improvement in any of the specific cognitive domains assessed. There is clearer evidence that exercise may improve cognitive functioning in MCI, but again there is limited evidence across most cognitive domains.

The effectiveness of serious games in improving executive functions among elderly people with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Abd-alrazaq ◽  
Dari Alhuwail ◽  
Arfan Ahmed ◽  
Mowafa Househ
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Meta Analyses

BACKGROUND Executive functions are one of the known cognitive abilities that decline by age. They are the high-order cognitive processes that enable an individual to concentrate, plan, and take action. Serious games, which are games developed for specific purposes other than entertainment, could play a positive role in improving executive functions. Several systematic reviews have pooled the evidence about the effectiveness of serious games in improving executive functions; however, they are limited by some weaknesses. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of serious games in improving executive functions among elderly people with cognitive impairment. METHODS A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted. To retrieve relevant studies, 8 electronic databases were searched. Further, reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews were screened, and we checked studies that cited our included studies. Two reviewers independently checked the eligibility of the studies, extracted data from the included studies, assessed the risk of bias, and appraised the quality of the evidence. We used a narrative and statistical approach, as appropriate, to synthesize results of the included studies. RESULTS Out of 548 publications identified, 16 RCTs were eventually included in this review. Our meta-analyses showed that serious games are as effective as no or passive interventions in improving executive functions (P=0.29). Surprisingly, conventional exercises were more effective than serious games in improving executive functions (P=0.03). Our subgroup analysis showed that both types of serious games (cognitive training games (P=0.08) and exergames (P=0.16)) are as effective as conventional exercises in improving executive functions. No difference was found between adaptive serious games and non-adaptive serious games in improving executive functions (P=0.59). CONCLUSIONS Serious games are not superior to no or passive interventions and conventional exercises in improving executive functions among older adults with cognitive impairment. However, our findings remain inconclusive due to the low quality of the evidence, the small sample size in most included studies, and the paucity of studies included in the meta-analyses. Accordingly, until more robust evidence is available, serious games should not be offered by healthcare providers nor used by patients for improving executive functions among older adults with cognitive functions. Further reviews are needed to assess the long-term effect of serious games on specific executive functions or other cognitive abilities among people from different age groups with or without cognitive impairment.

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