The Effects of Intellectual, Physical, and Social Activity on Further Prognosis in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

BackgroundOur goal was to specify the relationship between the level of activity (intellectual, physical, and social) in persons diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the further progression of cognitive dysfunction.Material/MethodsWe examined 193 patients diagnosed with MCI (according to the criteria of the Working Group on Mild Cognitive Impairment) and under treatment at our Mental Disorders Clinic. It was assumed that these persons would remain under systematic psychiatric observation until dementia was diagnosed. The present study results from a seven-year observation period. The mini–mental state examination (MMSE), the Activity Scale (with the intellectual, physical, and social subscales), and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale were used to evaluate the participants’ status at baseline. The MMSE was re-administered after one year and again at the end of the observation (either upon diagnosis of dementia or after seven years). At each meeting with the participant, the clinical diagnosis was verified to determine if the patient had dementia or not. Of the 193 people initially qualified for the study, 75 were available for the final analysis.ResultsIt was found that there was no statistically significant difference in the baseline MMSE scores between the persons with stable MCI and the persons who had progressed to dementia. However, statistically significant differences in the level of activity at baseline on both the global IADL scale and the Activity Scale between those with stable MCI and those who had progressed to dementia were found. These differences were manifested in the IADL subscales for telephone use, shopping, transportation, and personal finances, and in the physical activity subscale.ConclusionsAn evaluation of intellectual, physical, and social activity can be useful in determining the prognosis for the future course of MCI.

Activation of the Brain to Postpone Dementia: A Concept Originating from Postmortem Human Brain Studies

“…This is in accord with a recent longitudinal study which showed that late-life leisure activities protect against cognitive impairment among elderly Chinese, while the protective effect is more profound for educated elderly [185]. Another study found significant differences in the level of social activity at baseline between those with stable MCI and those who had progressed to dementia, indicating that social activity affects the further prognosis in MCI in a positive way [186]. However, two other studies did not find a significant protective effect of late-life social support activities [187] or of midlife social engagement [188] on the risk of dementia.…”

Relationships between socio‐clinico‐demographic factors and global cognitive function in the oldest old living in the Tokyo Metropolitan area: Reanalysis of the Tokyo Oldest Old Survey on Total Health (TOOTH)

“…It has been reported that higher levels of instrumental ADL are associated with higher global cognition in the populations among healthy people as well as patients with MCI and dementia . In addition, several studies have demonstrated that IADL impairment contributes to predicting onset of dementia in the older people . The present study extends these findings to the healthy individuals who are much older in the context of the oldest‐old without cognitive impairment.…”

The association between health‐related factors, physical and mental diseases, social activities, and cognitive function in elderly Koreans: a population‐based cross‐sectional study

“…[31][32][33][34] Previous studies have indicated that activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are closely related to cognitive impairment. 7,35 Interestingly, some researchers have argued that hand grip strength is a preventive factor of cognitive decline. [36][37][38] The similarities in the brain areas and networks involved in cognition and muscle strength (e.g.…”

“…4,40 Other studies have identified cognitive impairment's association with socioeconomic status, religion, and gender. 33,35 The focus of the present study is the association between social club and cognitive function. Crosssectional and longitudinal studies have verified the association between social club and cognitive function.…”