Preventing cognitive decline via digital inclusion and virtual game management: an intervention study with older adults in the community

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of cognitive stimulation via digital inclusion and the practice of video games on the cognition of the older population.

Method

This is a randomized controlled intervention study, nested in a population cohort study. Based on the application of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) test, individuals aged 60 years or older with scores 0 and 0.5 were included and randomly allocated in the Intervention Group (IG) or Control Group (CG). Initially, 160 participants met the selection criteria and underwent neuropsychological evaluation via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), applied before and after intervention. The IG (n = 62) participated in computer-based intervention once a week for one-and-a-half hours, for 4 months. The CG (n = 47) participated in the mindfulness workshops held in the same period.

Results

The digital literacy intervention group averaged 2.6 points more in the MoCA after 4 months. The change in the final MoCA decreased in 0.46 points at each unit in the basal MoCA. Individuals with average schooling had an increase of 0.93 points in the change of the MoCA in relation to individuals with low or high schooling.

Conclusion

Digital inclusion combined with the practice of video games has the potential to improve the cognition of the older population.

Keywords:

• Older adults
• memory
• cognitive stimulation
• computers
• video games

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was carried out with the support of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Financing Code 001 and has universal funding by (CNPq) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.