Effects of a Training Program Based on Abacus and Other Activities in Healthy Older Adults
- Conditions
- Aging
- Registration Number
- NCT02897102
- Lead Sponsor
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
- Brief Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured program, which was based on abacus training associated with other activities, administered as weekly group classes over a 7 month period in older adults.
- Detailed Description
Cognitive stimulating activities are often recommended for older adults; however, little is known regarding the effects of these activities on cognition, motivation and quality of life in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured program, which was based on abacus training associated with other activities, administered as weekly group classes over a 7 month period in older adults. Eighty-eight older adults were enrolled in an open-label controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of this training program on cognition, motivation and quality of life. Training had a significant effect over time; the training group maintained their level of performance on verbal learning and memory tasks, whereas the control group exhibited a significant decrease in performance from baseline to post-intervention. The subjects in the training group were more motivated to learn at study entry; however, the training had no significant effect on motivation or quality of life. Abacus training associated with other activities may benefit verbal learning and memory in older adults. Additional studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to determine whether the results of this training will have a positive effect on the lives of older adults.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 88
- Age ≥ 60 years
- Score ≥ 26 on the Mini-Mental State Examination
- Portuguese as a native language.
- A neurological or serious medical condition that would prevent participation in the study.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Executive function score change After 7 month Executive function score change will be measured using the average of the Z-scores of the Cogstate Groton Maze Learning Test and Set Shifting Task
Attention score change After 7 month Attention score change will be measured using the average of the Z-scores of the Codes subtest of the BETA III and the Cogstate Identification Task
Speed of processing score change After 7 month Speed of processing score change will be measured using the Z-score of the Cogstate Detection Task
Working memory score change After 7 month Working memory score change will be measured using the average of the Z-scores of the Cogstate One Back and Two Back tasks
Reasoning score change After 7 month Reasoning score change will be measured using the Z-score of Matrix Reasoning subtest of the BETA III
Verbal learning and memory score change After 7 month Verbal learning and memory score change will be measured using the average of the Z-scores of the Cogstate International Shopping List and International Shopping List - Delayed Recall tasks
Visual learning and memory score change After 7 month Visual learning and memory score change will be measured using the average of the Z-scores of the Cogstate Continuous Paired Associate Learning, One Card Learning and Groton Maze Learning Test - Delayed Recall tasks
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Quality of life After 7 months Evaluated using the control, autonomy, self-realization, and pleasure scale (CASP-19)
Motivation After 7 months Evaluated using the self-concept scales of cognitive competence and self-learning