Novelty Interventions to Enhance Broad Cognitive Abilities and Prevent Dementia

Abstract

Process-based cognitive trainings (PCTs) and novelty interventions are two traditional approaches aiming to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. However, both have their limitations. PCTs improve performance only in cognitive tests similar to the training tasks with inconsistent transfer effects on dissimilar tests. We argue that this learning specificity is due to a low training task variability. Novelty interventions are characterized by a high task variability but do not target specific processing demands affected in aging and dementia. To overcome the limitations of both approaches, we developed a process-based novelty intervention using a card and board game-based training approach. Here, we use highly variable tasks, which overlap in targeted processing demands ("overlapping variability" framework). Another nontraditional training approach combines cognitively with physically challenging tasks to induce multimechanistic effects, which might even interact positively. Initial results of both synergistic approaches indicate their potential to enhance broad cognitive abilities and prevent dementia.

Cognitive change is more positively associated with an active lifestyle than with training interventions in older adults at risk of dementia: a controlled interventional clinical trial

“…In line with this notion, Angevaren and colleagues [5] demonstrated that cognitive function was associated with the number of different physical leisure activities, but not with the time spent with physical exercise per week. Finally, an active lifestyle comprises activities of different domains such as physical and cognitive activities, which may have synergistic effects on cognition [27]. …”

“…However, the applied training tasks were often quite similar to the outcome measures in the studies, and training effects were restricted to the trained domain [23, 24]. There is an intensive debate on the extent to which improvements through training generalize to broader cognitive constructs, and especially to everyday cognitive functioning [25–27]. Lately, a novel cognitive training approach was developed, based on principles of neuroplasticity [28].…”

New framework for rehabilitation – fusion of cognitive and physical rehabilitation: the hope for dancing

“…Dancing may be considered an ideal example of what multimodal training should consist of, due to combining physical and cognitive activity together ( Fissler et al, 2012 ; Kraft, 2012 ; Olsson, 2012 ) in an enriched environment ( Kattenstroth et al, 2010 ). Aside from the physical activity that dancing requires, it also involves various cognitive functions such as perception, emotion, executive functioning, memory and motor skills ( Foster, 2013 ).…”

Does squatting need attention?—A dual-task study on cognitive resources in resistance exercise

“…Engaging specific cognitive resources to execute a specific motor task (e.g., resistance exercise such as squatting) is deemed a necessary prerequisite to guide the facilitation effects of physical exercises. The latter provides the basis for cognitive improvements in response to physical training interventions [8]. However, to our current knowledge, there is currently no study that investigated the cognitive resources needed to execute dynamic resistance exercises (e.g., squats).…”