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Abstract

Background: Dementia is typically found in older adults, and negatively impacts cognitive function. The current study examined the effects of brain training programs with learning activities on cognitive function in older adults.

Methods: We conducted a two-arm quasi-experimental study with participants who were over 60 years old and had Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores < 25 (n=66). The intervention group (n=33) performed a brain training program with learning activities based on social cognitive theory. MoCA scores were evaluated at baseline, immediately after activities were completed at Week 9, and 3 months after the activities were completed.

Results:Sixty-six participants showed low MoCA. Mean MoCA scores at baseline in the control group (CG) and intervention group (IG) were 20.09 (SD ¼ 2.89) and 19.82 (SD ¼ 2.33), respectively; whereas MoCA scores immediately after activities were completed (Week 9) were 19.15 (SD ¼ 2.06) for the CG and 24.24 (SD ¼ 3.02) for the IG. Mean scores in the IG were significantly higher than those in the CG at Week 9 and 3 months (p < 0.01). Additionally, the mean cognitive function score in the IG at Week 9 and 3 months after the activities was significantly higher than the baseline (F ¼ 116.87, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The brain training program adopted in this study could be used with older people in the community. Healthcare providers should encourage older people to regularly practice brain training at home.

Keywords: Dementia, Brain training programs, Delay and Prevention of dementia, Older adults, ThailandAbs

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