Brain Training Game Improves Executive Functions and Processing Speed in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The beneficial effects of brain training games are expected to transfer to other cognitive functions, but these beneficial effects are poorly understood. Here we investigate the impact of the brain training game (Brain Age) on cognitive functions in the elderly.Thirty-two elderly volunteers were recruited through an advertisement in the local newspaper and randomly assigned to either of two game groups (Brain Age, Tetris). This study was completed by 14 of the 16 members in the Brain Age group and 14 of the 16 members in the Tetris group. To maximize the benefit of the interventions, all participants were non-gamers who reported playing less than one hour of video games per week over the past 2 years. Participants in both the Brain Age and the Tetris groups played their game for about 15 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Each group played for a total of about 20 days. Measures of the cognitive functions were conducted before and after training. Measures of the cognitive functions fell into four categories (global cognitive status, executive functions, attention, and processing speed). Results showed that the effects of the brain training game were transferred to executive functions and to processing speed. However, the brain training game showed no transfer effect on any global cognitive status nor attention.Our results showed that playing Brain Age for 4 weeks could lead to improve cognitive functions (executive functions and processing speed) in the elderly. This result indicated that there is a possibility which the elderly could improve executive functions and processing speed in short term training. The results need replication in large samples. Long-term effects and relevance for every-day functioning remain uncertain as yet.UMIN Clinical Trial Registry 000002825

Beneficial effects of reading aloud and solving simple arithmetic calculations (learning therapy) on a wide range of cognitive functions in the healthy elderly: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Almost all cognitive functions decline with age. Results of previous studies have shown that cognitive training related to everyday life (reading aloud and solving simple arithmetic calculations), namely learning therapy, can improve two cognitive function (executive functions and processing speed) in elderly people. However, it remains unclear whether learning therapy engenders improvement of various cognitive functions or not. We investigate the impact of learning therapy on various cognitive functions (executive functions, episodic memory, short-term memory, working memory, attention, reading ability, and processing speed) in healthy older adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We use a single-blinded intervention with two parallel groups (a learning therapy group and a waiting list control group). Testers are blind to the study hypothesis and the group membership of participants. Through an advertisement in local newspaper, 64 healthy older adults are recruited. They will be assigned randomly to a learning therapy group or a waiting list control group. In the learning therapy group, participants are required to perform two cognitive tasks for 6 months: reading Japanese aloud and solving simple calculations. The waiting list group does not participate in the intervention. The primary outcome measure is the Stroop test score: a measure of executive function. Secondary outcome measures are assessments including the following: verbal fluency task, logical memory, first and second names, digit span forward, digit span backward, Japanese reading test, digit cancellation task, digit symbol coding, and symbol search. We assess these outcome measures before and after the intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This report is the first study which investigates the beneficial effects of learning therapy on a wide range of cognitive functions of elderly people. Our study provides sufficient evidence of learning therapy effectiveness. Most cognitive functions, which are correlated strongly with daily life activities, decrease with age. These study results can elucidate effects of cognitive training on elderly people.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>This trial was registered in The University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (No. <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/UMIN000006998">UMIN000006998</a>).</p

Prevalence of geriatric syndromes among people aged 65 years and older at four community clinics in Moscow

Olga N Tkacheva,1 Nadezda K Runikhina,1 Valentina S Ostapenko,1 Natalia V Sharashkina,1 Elen A Mkhitaryan,1,2 Julia S Onuchina,1 Sergei N Lysenkov,1,3 Nikolai N Yakhno,2 Yan Press4&ndash;6 1Pirogov Russian National Medical University, The Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Moscow, Russia; 2Neurology Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; 3Department of Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; 4Department of Family Medicine, Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; 5Yasski Clinic, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel; 6Unit for Community Geriatrics, Division of Health in the Community, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Background: Geriatric syndromes (GSs) are common in older adults and have a significant effect on their quality of life, disability, and use of health care resources. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of GSs in Russia. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GSs among older adults living in the community in Moscow. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four community clinics in Moscow. A total of 1,220 patients completed a screening questionnaire, and 356 of them also underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Results: The mean age of the 1,220 participants was 74.9&plusmn;6.1&nbsp;years; 75.5% were women. Based on the questionnaire, 58.3% reported visual or hearing impairment, 58.2% cognitive impairment, 46% mood disorder, 42% difficulty walking, 28.3% urinary incontinence, 21.3% traumatic falls (over the previous year), and 12.2% weight loss. The mean number of GSs per patient was 2.9&plusmn;1.5. Based on CGA, a decline in Instrumental Activity of Daily Living score was identified in 34.8% of the patients, a risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment score, 17&ndash;23.5) in 25.8%, probable cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score &lt;25) in 8.6%, and symptoms of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale score &gt;5) in 36.2%. On the whole, patients demonstrated good mobility (average walking speed, 1&plusmn;0.2&nbsp;m/s) and hand grip strength (23.9&plusmn;6.4&nbsp;kg in women and 39.1&plusmn;8.3&nbsp;kg in men), but poor balance (only 39.4% were able to maintain their balance on one leg for 10&nbsp;s or more). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of GSs among community-dwelling people aged 65&nbsp;years and older in Moscow. The results provide a better understanding of the needs of older adults in Russia and can facilitate planning for medical and social assistance for this population. Keywords: geriatric syndromes, comprehensive geriatric assessment, questionnaire, community-dwelling, Russi