The Improvement of Cognitive Function and Decrease the Level of Stress in the Elderly with Brain Gym

Abstract

KeywordsThe decline in cognitive function in the elderly, which is part of the aging process can result in long-term memory problems and information processes, so it is often regarded as a stressor that causes stress and perceived as an adverse threat. Brain gym can improve memory, decreased emotional stress and the clearer mind. The aim of the study analyzed the effectiveness of brain gym in improving cognitive function and decreased the level of stress of elderly. Pre-experimental study of one group pretest-posttest design with 35 samples older adult age 60 years till 75 years old selected by simple random sampling. The frequency of Brain Gym exercised twice a week with duration of every 15 minutes and done in four weeks. Measurement of stress level using DASS, during Cognitive function with MMSE. Data analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The results showed improvement of cognitive function in elderly and decreased stress level after brain gym (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009 at α = 0.05). Brain gym had a significant effect on improving cognitive function of elderly and reduced the level of stress in the elderly face a life stressor. The improvement of cognitive function and decrease the level of stress in the elderly with brain gym.

Efficacy of Brain Gym on the Cognitive Function Improvement of People with Dementia

“…It is in line with other studes that the brain gym has a significant effect on the improvement of cognitive function of the elderly (Amtonis & Fata, 2014;Ardian & Nuraini, 2018). Exercise in the brain gym stimulates the brain by releasing stress, increasing learning concentration, clearing the mind, improving memory and cognitive abilities such as alertness, concentration, and speed in the learning process (Azizah et al, 2017;Erwanto & Kurniasih, 2018).…”

Revisit the Effectiveness of Educational Kinesiology on Stress and Anxiety Amelioration in Kindergarteners With Special Needs: A Nonrandomized Trial

“…These ndings suggest the anti-anxiety role of oxytocin. A previous study demonstrated that 8-week Brain Gym intervention signi cantly decreased anxiety levels in 68 elderly people 12 . We observed signi cant group difference in the change of oxytocin levels with or without controlled for the effect of baseline oxytocin levels, in which greater increases in oxytocin levels were observed in the intervention group compared with the control.…”

“…Brain Gym has been reported to reduce stress in elderly people 12 . Our ndings provide preliminary evidence on the stress reduction effect of Brain Gym by demonstrating a greater reduction of salivary cortisol levels after 10-week of Brain Gym intervention than the control in kindergarteners with special needs.…”

“…The strength of the current study is the application of both psychometrics and standardized and validated biological markers in describing stress and anxiety. Previous studies examining the effectiveness of Brain Gym adopted only subjective measures 12,13,14 , in which subjective bias is inevitable.…”

“…There is limited research exploring the effectiveness of Brain Gym on the improvements of mental health, and ndings from the previous studies were inconsistent. For instance, Azizah and colleagues 12 showed an improvement in perceived levels of psychological distress in elderly people after Brain Gym intervention. Effendy and colleagues 13 also examined the effects of Brain Gym on anxiety and quality of sleep in 68 elderly people and they found that 8-week of Brain Gym training could improve sleeping quality and reduce anxiety symptoms in the studied cohort.…”