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Published on: January 24, 2020
Cognition-focused interventions for older adults: the state of play
Mandy Vidovich1, Osvaldo P Almeida
1Western Australia Centre for Health and Ageing, School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. mandy.vidovich@uwa.edu.au
Objective:
The aim of this study was to review and discuss the evidence supporting the use of cognition-focused interventions to enhance mental function and decrease the risk of dementia.
Method:
A non-quantitative review was made of existing evidence supporting the use of cognitive stimulation, rehabilitation and training in enhancing mental function and decreasing the risk of dementia in later life.
Results:
Despite growing popularity, there is limited evidence from randomized trials to support the use of cognition-focused interventions to decrease the rate of cognitive decline associated with increasing age or with dementia. There is currently no evidence available from randomized trials to support the use of cognition-focused interventions to prevent dementia.
Conclusions:
Sufficiently powered randomized trials of cognition-focused interventions designed to prevent dementia and limit the progression of cognitive decline in later life are needed before these programs are adopted in normal routine clinical practice.
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