Open AccessCognitive and physical benefits of a game‐like dual‐task exercise among the oldest nursing home residents in Japan
Author(s) -
Yoon Jieun,
Isoda Hiroko,
Ueda Tetsuya,
Okura Tomohiro
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1002/trc2.12276
Subject(s) - dual (grammatical number) , task (project management) , gerontology , psychology , nursing , nursing homes , cognition , medicine , applied psychology , psychiatry , engineering , art , literature , systems engineering
Dual‐task (DT) exercise can act as a substitute, which can help improve both physical and cognitive functions. Thus, this study investigated the effects of a game‐like cognitive DT exercise called “Synapsology” (SYNAP) among the oldest residents of a nursing home. Methods Participants (aged 85–97 years) were assigned to the intervention group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 12). The intervention group underwent 60‐minute sessions, twice a week for 24 weeks. Results A comparison of the Mini‐Mental State Examination scores and six physical function tests, before and after the intervention, shows that the SYNAP had a positive impact on the cognitive and physical functions among the intervention group. Discussion These findings suggest that SYNAP may help maintain or improve cognitive and physical functions among older adults compared to no interventions. Therefore, SYNAP would act as a beneficial tool amidst a “superaging” society like Japan.