Reading, socializing and doing puzzles can help preserve cognitive health, large study shows
Puzzles, brain-training games and hobbies have long been said to stave off cognitive decline. But while some research has shown that intensive brain-training programs done over several weeks can reduce cognitive impairment, such interventions aren't very practical in daily life.
A new study published in The Lancet Primary Care journal has found that simple, daily brain-stimulating activities like puzzles, reading, listening to music, and learning new skills can significantly help preserve cognitive health in older adults with mild to severe cognitive impairment. The research involved 11,500 participants aged 60 to 85, who were divided into three groups.
One group acted as a control group, receiving general advice on brain health, cognitive testing, and questions about their brain-stimulating activities. The second group received similar advice and gained access to an automated behavioral support website. The third group received the same advice, website access, and two additional appointments with a facilitator, such as a nurse, to support their engagement with the website.
After a year, all three groups showed improvements in cognitive function. However, the control group had the most significant results, with 28% of participants no longer displaying signs of cognitive impairment. In comparison, 33% of the second group and 32% of the third group reversed their cognitive decline. Both the second and third groups also had slight improvements in their cognitive test scores compared to the control group.
The study highlights the potential benefits of engaging in brain-stimulating activities, even for those who already maintain a healthy diet and physical activity levels. While further research is needed to confirm the long-term effects of daily brain-stimulating activities and understand the underlying mechanisms, the findings suggest that small, daily efforts can contribute to maintaining cognitive health in older adults.
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