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P‐088: Effectiveness of an educative intervention on operative memory through popular games in the elderly
Author(s) -
Morales-Sanchez Adriana E.,
Arias-Merino Elva D.,
Diaz-Garcia Irma F.,
Cabrera-Pivaral Carlos E.,
Maynard-Gomez Wendy R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2007.04.341
Subject(s) - wechsler adult intelligence scale , wechsler memory scale , intervention (counseling) , geriatric depression scale , medicine , depression (economics) , cognition , gerontology , audiology , psychology , clinical psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , depressive symptoms , economics , macroeconomics
Background: The present study is based on results of investigations that indicate difficulty in operative memory with relation to aging, given the preoccupation of obtaining preventive measures for diseases of high prevalence like dementias, whose alarming sign is the loss of one’s memory; we tried to detect solutions for these. Objective(s): To determine the effectiveness of an educative intervention on operative memory through popular games in the elderly. Methods: The type of study is an educative intervention with the measurement of operative memory before and after. Twelve (12) subjects were selected the conventional way. Three tests were used: the Yessavage Diagnostic Depression Scale (GDS) for the selection criteria, the Wechsler Scale of Intelligence for Adults III, in the subtests that measure the operative memory (WAIS III) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) that measure the operative memory and in addition cognitive status. Results: The 12 analyzed people were women dedicated to the home, 65 to 82 years (yrs) of age with an average of 72.2 yrs. 58.3% belonged to the first age group of 65 to 74 yrs. The civil status showed that 16.7% are unmarried, 33.3% married and 50% widows. The economic dependency showed that 66.7% depend on a relative. In relation to health 66.7% have hypertension, diabetes mellitus and depression, 33.3% have other ailments, and 58.3% take some type of medication. The sensory status indicated that 75% showed visual deficiency, 41.7% auditory problems, 33.3% olfatory difficulties and 50% tactile alterations. The MMSE demonstrated that 100% increased the results in a favorable way, p 0.002. The WAIS III test indicated an increase in the operative memory with 9 positive ranks, p 0.007. Conclusions: The intervention through popular games for the elderly showed favorable results on the operative memory and cognitive function. Given the preoccupation of cognitive function aging, with emphasis on the memory deficiency, we propose this type of intervention as a preventive tool for the mental deficiency, cognitive deterioration and dementia.