The effect of sensory-cognitive training on perception, attention and memory in elderly people

Abstract

The effect of sensory-cognitive training on features of perception, attention and memory in elderly and senile people was studing. The experimental group included 16 elderly and senile volunteer subjects (average age 73 ±1.7 years) who did not have a history of significant age-related sensory and neurological problems (survey data). All subjects underwent a course of sensory-cognitive exercises for 4 weeks, as well as psychophysical testing and assessment of psychological health resources before and after the training. A significant improvement in target sensory-cognitive indicators (perception, attention, memory) in the experimental group and the dynamics of a number of individual psychological characteristics (anxiety, hierarchy in the value system, vital durability and cheerfulness) were shown. The results allow us to conclude that the developed course of sensory-cognitive training helps to update both the potential of sensory-cognitive processes and the psychological health resources of older people. This indicates the preventive importance of functional training in the context of reducing the age-related risks of developing dementia and achieving the goals of active aging.