Programa de Revitalización Geriátricaefectos sobre la cognición en adultos mayores de 60 años

Abstract

Background and aim Clinical evidence shows that elder individuals display with greater frequency diverse cognitive changes, minor and slightly incapacitating, related to mnesic functions and speed of thought and reasoning. Much scientific evidence supports the role that aerobic physical activity plays as fundamental to prevent or delay the onset of minor cognitive damage or dementia. The aim of this paper is to determine the lasting effect of improved cognitive status in healthy older adults six months after completing a geriatric revitalization programme (GRP). Material and methods The study population was recruited among participants in the Universidad de Salamanca GRP. Following the guidelines of the World Health Organization, subjects performed 3 weekly sessions of moderate physical exercise during the intervention period. The sample consisted of 35 subjects of both genders, all of them over 60 years old. For the selection of the sample, random sampling was carried out by conglomerates, where 3 associations of the total number of associations in the city were chosen at random, and in each of the group of people who were willing to follow the GRP. In order to assess the subjects’ neuropsychological capacities, a series of validated neuropsychological tests were included: Mini-Mental State Examination; Benton Visual Retention Test; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test; Stroop Test; Trail Making Test. Results The results show significant differences between the three assessments put into effect: after the intervention, performance improved in all variables assessed, and it returned to the initial scores after a period of physical inactivity. Conclusions We must find strategies to limit spans of physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyles in people over 65 by looking for ways to encourage participation in physical activity programmes.