The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG

Abstract

. The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG.Millenium, 2(3), 13-22. ABSTRACTIntroduction: Society is rapidly aging, and there is a consequent increase in the prevalence of dementia. Cognitive deficits are related to many variables, some of them are pointed out as possible protectors. According to cognitive reserve theory, practicing stimulating activities throughout life may lead to a decrease in the risk of dementia. In this context, MediaPrimer is developing primerCOG, an online platform for cognitive training, which includes eleven cognitive stimulating activities for seniors. Objective: Evaluate the influence of variables age and education, and leisure activities, on maximum level achieved in primerCOG's activities. Methods: Quantitative non-experimental and transversal design. Sample includes 30 cognitively healthy seniors. Results: Positive associations were observed between the participants' level of education and the maximum level of performance in all activities. On the other hand, there was a negative association of performance in the majority of activities with the participants' age. Additionally, it was found that participants who regularly practiced cognitively stimulating leisure time activities performed better in activities. Conclusions:Results confirm that some variables influence cognitive performance in cognitively healthy seniors, which may be useful to understand the development of dementia. In the future, it will be important to replicate the study with new variables, such as the number of hours spent per day in the activities or the participant's pre-morbid IQ.

Relationship between Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Impairment in Autonomous and Institutionalized Older Adults

“…As has been confirmed, there are various indicators that influence the CR, but some variables, such as gender, age, institutionalization, among others, facilitate its evaluation and may influence the aging process [12]. In addition, according to various authors, CR is not stable over the entire lifetime and depends on several factors, for example, genetic and physical condition, socioeconomic level, education, professional occupation or leisure activities, among others [13].…”

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“…The latter, related to cognitive reserve, on the other side, is associated with an active reserve model, and is strictly related to a more efficient use of alternative brain networks and the ability to adapt to alternative operations or circuits (Sobral & Paúl, 2013), and may be often stimulated according to the activity of the individual throughout life. Among other Teixeira, J. C., Alecrim P., Freitas, S., Silva, C. & Costa, V. (2017). The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG.…”

“…The sample includes 30 institutionalized or day-care elderly, with a mean age of 73.73 years and a mean educational level of 9.53 years, of which 28 participants were women (Table 1). Teixeira, J. C., Alecrim P., Freitas, S., Silva, C. & Costa, V. (2017). The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG.…”

“…MLA Vi ou Li Antes r =.415; p = .023 * r =-.483; p = .007 ** * p < .05. ** p < .01 Teixeira, J. C., Alecrim P., Freitas, S., Silva, C. & Costa, V. (2017). The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG.…”

“…MLA Torres r r =.031; p =.872 r =-.292; p =.117 r =.019; p =.923 r =.431; p =.017 * MLA Vi ou Li Antes r r =.201; p =.286 r=-.480; p =.007 ** r =.061; p =.749 r =.483; p =.007 ** Teixeira, J. C., Alecrim P., Freitas, S., Silva, C. & Costa, V. (2017). The influence of sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the performance on cognitive training platform primerCOG.…”