Maintaining Cognitive Functioning in Healthy Seniors with a Technology-Based Foreign Language Program: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Caitlin Ware,Ya-Huei Wu,Souad Damnee,Anne-Sophie Rigaud,Leila Djabelkhir,Victoria Cristancho,Maribel Pino,Judith Benovici

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2017.00042

Abstract

Researchers have hypothesized that learning a foreign language could be beneficial for seniors, as language learning requires the use of extensive neural networks. We developed and qualitatively evaluated an English training program for older French adults; our principal objective was to determine whether a program integrating technology is feasible for this population. We conducted a 4-month pilot study (16, 2-h sessions) with 14 French participants, (nine women, five men, average age 75). Questionnaires were administered pre- and post-intervention to measure cognitive level and subjective feelings of loneliness or social isolation; however, these scores did not improve significantly. Post-intervention, semi-directive interviews were carried out with participants, and a content/theme analysis was performed. Five main themes were identified from the interviews: Associations with school, attitudes toward English, motivation for learning English, attitudes toward the program’s organization, and social ties. The program was found to be feasible for this age group, yet perceived as quite difficult for participants who lacked experience with English. Nonetheless, most participants found the program to be stimulating and enjoyable. We discuss different suggestions for future programs and future directions for foreign-language learning as a therapeutic and cognitive intervention.

Highlights

As the population ages, more older adults will be at risk of developing neurodegenerative syndromes such as Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias, yet no pharmaceutical treatment has been found to successfully prevent or delay the development of these neurological conditions (Gauthier et al, 2012; Selkoe, 2012)
Inspired by Antoniou et al.’s (2013) article on the potential cognitive and social benefits of teaching a foreign language to older persons, we developed a foreign-language learning program geared toward French seniors that incorporated tablet computers
Paired sample T-test of pre- and post-intervention data for the University of California Loneliness Assessment (UCLA) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) showed no significant change in scores

Summary

Introduction

More older adults will be at risk of developing neurodegenerative syndromes such as Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias, yet no pharmaceutical treatment has been found to successfully prevent or delay the development of these neurological conditions (Gauthier et al, 2012; Selkoe, 2012). Foreign Language Program for Seniors functioning (Tzang et al, 2015; Zhong et al, 2016), and involvement in social and leisure activities has been associated with a decreased risk of dementia in the elderly (Wang et al, 2002). Due to these findings, educational and social programs geared toward older adults, like Senior Odyssey, have been developed with the goal of maintaining healthy cognitive functioning in this population (Stine-Morrow et al, 2007). To the authors’ knowledge, no foreign language-oriented program has been developed for cognitively healthy older adults with the goal of maintaining cognitive functioning

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Discussion

Conclusion