Cognitive Function Improvement Effect of Old People by Complex-type Dementia Prevention Program / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

　　This study aimed at clarifying the effects of intervention with the composite Dementia Prevention Program. Subjects were 46 elderly people who had participated in the program. The study method included intervention trials to test the effects on the changes in BMI, physical function, and cognitive function of the program participants before and after the trial. Those aged 75 and up (old-old participants) had significantly stronger grip strength before the intervention than those below the age of 75 (young-old participants), but there was no difference in cognitive and physical functions between old-old and young-old participants. The average number of steps taken in the young-old group had significantly increased from approximately 4,000 steps before intervention to approximately 7,000 steps after intervention. When it comes to physical functions, the time taken for the 5-m walking exercise was significantly shortened from 3.8±0.8s to 3.5±0.5s in the young-old subjects; a change from 3.5±0.8s to 3.7±1.0s was observed for TUG in the young-old subjects and from 4.1±1.0s to 3.6±1.0s in old-old subjects. As regards cognitive function, episodic memory of the young-old subjects improved significantly, from 47.9±7.5 points before intervention to 56.5±8.8 points after intervention. The improvement in the old-old subjects was gradual. Episodic memory was improved without bearing on the changes shown in the 5-m walking tests (β＝-0.751, p＝0.020). The physical functions and episodic memory in cognitive function had both improved. This study suggested early intervention could increase the dementia prevention effect.