Efficacy of Cognitive Training in Community-Dwelling Elderly

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of cognitive training in community-dwelling elderly, and to support mental health care system for the elderly. METHODS: We investigated 1,994 and aged over 65 years elderly visiting senior center from April 2014 to July 2014. Their demographic data was investigated. Cognitive functions were evaluated by Korean Version of Mini Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) and Global Deterioration Scale. Quality of life was evaluated by Korean Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (KQoL-AD) and depression by Short Korean Form of Geriatric Depression Scale. Before and after cognitive training, we analysed these data. RESULTS: MMSE-DS, KQoL-AD were significantly higher in score after the cogintive training than before of that (p<0.001). SGDS-K were significantly lower in score after the cognitive training than before of that (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Cognitive training resulted in improvement in cognitive functions, quality of life and depression for communitydwelling elderly. These results suggest that future mental health care policy has to consider the importance of community-dwelling elderly.