Boosting older adults’ cognitive functioning and psychological Well-Being through Chinese tea therapy: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of Chinese tea therapy on the enhancement of cognitive functioning and psychological well-being among older adults in Hong Kong. Method Seventeen healthy older adults recruited from two senior centers participated in a four-week Chinese tea therapy intervention. Pre–post measures on cognitive functioning and emotional well-being were used to examine the effect of the intervention on cognitive and emotional variables. Results Results of the paired samples t-test revealed significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results for cognition and well-being. Specifically, the older adults showed enhanced cognitive functioning and improved emotional well-being after they received the Chinese tea therapy. Conclusion Chinese tea therapy is apparently an effective strategy to ensure healthy aging. In particular, this innovative and culturally relevant strategy may exert a protective effect against cognitive aging and decline and may boost emotional wellness of older adults in Asian cultures.