Effect of increasing participation in habitual intellectual activities on cognitive function in older adults without clinical dementia ‐ update on the findings of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe preliminary findings of our randomized controlled trial, which aims to test whether doubling calligraphy practice leads to more cognitive benefits in older adults without clinical dementia, were presented in AAIC 2022. With the data collection near completion, we will present the latest findings of our study in AAIC 2023.MethodA total of 112 community‐living older adults without clinical dementia and with prior practice of calligraphy were recruited and randomly allocated into either the control group where they continued their usual practice of calligraphy or the intervention group where they doubled their practice. Comprehensive standardized cognitive assessments were performed before and after the 6‐month intervention.ResultChanges in global cognition and individual cognitive domains will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Compliance of intervention will also be reviewed.ConclusionOur findings will add insight to the effect of increasing the “dosage” of intellectual activities on cognitive function and the acceptability of cognitive intervention among community‐living older adults at risk of dementia.