Objective: this study evaluated the effectiveness of a Gerontological Cognitive Stimulation workshop, aimed at improving the cognitive and functional performance and mood symptoms of senescent participants in an Open University for Senior Citizens. Method: An open controlled clinical trial with a wait list was performed, with 15 people participating in the intervention group and 16 people in the control group. At the beginning and end of the study (six months later) the Digit span, ACE-R, Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) tests were applied. Results: In the intervention group, there was improvement in the variables evaluated, with significant differences in the visuospatial domain ( p=0.022), symptoms of depression ( p=0.048) and anxiety ( p=0.002). In the control group the symptoms of depression and anxiety deteriorated. Conclusion: The results suggest that the cognitive stimulation program has a beneficial effect on the mood symptoms of adults and elderly members of an Open University Program for Senior Citizens.

Objective: Assess the effect of a Health Education (HE) program on cognition, mood and functional capacity of participants in a University of The Third Age (U3A). Method: Controlled clinical trial. The HE Program consisted of 10 sessions with group dynamics, including orientations on disease prevention and cognitive stimulation exercises, lasting four months. Intervention Group (IG) n=13; and Control Group (CG) n=15. All were assessed at the start and end of the study, using Addenbrook´s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory (BDI/BAI) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: Signifi cant improvements were observed for the IG when comparing the total ACE-R score (p=0.001) and memory domain (p=0.011) before and after the intervention. For the CG, improvement was found in the memory domain only (p=0.027). Conclusion: a HE intervention program benefi ts the improvement in cognitive performance, particularly the memory of adults and active elderly who participated in a U3A.