A Hypothetical Link Between Verbal Fluency and Functionality in Aging: A Systematic-Review and Paths for Future...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Verbal Fluency (VF) tasks are recognized as valuable tools for monitoring cognitive decline in aging populations.
• Executive control in VF tasks involves goal-directed behaviors, suggesting a potential link to Functional Capacity (FC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Verbal Fluency (VF) ability and Functional Capacity (FC) in the context of aging through a literature review.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted to identify studies examining VF ability and FC in aging individuals.
• The search focused on studies that potentially correlated cognitive abilities with functional aspects.

Main Results:

• Only four studies met the initial criteria, with limited direct relevance to the core research question.
• Selected studies attempted to link cognitive measures to functionality, but with inconsistencies and a lack of specific association with VF in the elderly.

Conclusions:

• While theories propose an association between VF and executive functions, a clear theoretical model and empirical evidence are lacking.
• Further controlled research is needed to elucidate the relationship between VF abilities and functional capacity during aging.