Cognitive Reserve Characteristics and Occupational Performance Implications in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

The Cognitive Reserve hypothesis suggests that there are individual differences in the ability to cope with the pathologic changes in Alzheimer’s Disease. The proportion of elderly individuals has increased in recent years; this increase emphasizes the importance of early detection of mild cognitive impairment and the promotion of healthy ageing. The purpose of our study is to characterize cognitive reserve and occupational performance implications in people with mild cognitive impairment. 125 patients with mild cognitive impairment were enrolled. The Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA) was used to evaluate cognitive status and the Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq) as an indicator of cognitive reserve. Higher level of education was associated with higher MoCA scores (r = 0.290, p = 0.001). Positive significant correlations were observed between MoCA and total CRIq (r = 0.385, p < 0.001) as well as its three sub-domains, education (r = 0.231, p = 0.010), working activity (r = 0.237, p = 0.008) and leisure time (r = 0.319, p < 0.001). This study findings provide the importance of considering socio-behavioral factors in cognitive status. This research helps to describe the importance of engaging occupationally along the whole life-course as a potential protective factor in ageing, and includes a perspective of occupational therapy regarding the hypothesis of cognitive reserve.

Are Protective Activities and Limitations in Practical Skills of Daily Living Associated with the Cognitive Performance of People with Mild Cognitive Impairment? Baseline Results from the BrainFit-Nutrition Study

“…In line with the literature, there was a positive influence of social activities on the cognitive status of the participants [12]. Women with MCI were found to invest more time in their social contacts and to be more active than men across all activities.…”

“…Concerning social activities, maintaining social contacts seems to protect people with MCI against cognitive decline [ 10 , 11 ]. Other authors found that an increase in social engagement can reduce the risk of conversion to dementia [ 8 ] and identified a positive relationship between social activities and cognitive status [ 12 ].…”

Cognitive resilience/reserve: Myth or reality? A review of definitions and measurement methods

“…Professional activity can also play a role in CR, as individuals chronically engaged in mentally stimulating activities, such as those in professions that require problem‐solving and decision‐making, tend to have a greater CR. 20 Leisure activities such as reading, playing musical instruments, and engaging in social activities can also contribute to CR. 21 These measures are often used in research studies as a way to infer CR, but they may not provide an accurate assessment of CR as they are not always directly related to CR.…”