COGNITIVE TRAINING FOR ELDERLY GROUPS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Studies indicate that the aging process is often associated with cognitive decline and that cognitive stimulation can improve and maintain the performance of cognitive abilities in the elderly. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify the delineations, procedures and results of the studies that investigated the strategies of cognitive stimulation in the elderly. Method: a literature search was performed in the databases SciELO, LILACS, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES using the descriptors "cognitive stimulation" OR "memory training" AND "elderly" in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Results: articles published in the last ten years were analyzed. Concerning Rua São Cristóvão, n.481, 87.706-070, Paranavaí, Paraná, Brasil. +55 44 99995-2878. email: flaviadrummer@gmail.com TREINO COGNITIVO PARA IDOSOS: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA www.sp-ps.pt 504 the length and duration of training, the number of meetings with participants ranged from 4 to 24 sessions, and 69.23% of the studies opted for sessions of one hour and thirty minutes or more. Likewise, most (n = 17) used the multimodal format. Regarding the sample size, 10 studies had samples greater than 50 participants (38.46%). One limitation identified was the scarcity of standardization of the results in the articles selected, which made it difficult to analyze and compare the investigations. Conclusion: In addition to cognitive functions, interventions improve mood and socialization of the participants, contributing to the autonomy and quality of life of the elderly.