Effects on Language and Verbal Fluency of a Cognitive Stimulation Program in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

Estela Calatayud, Ana Belen Subiron-Valera, Yolanda Marcén-Román, Carlos Salavera, Elena Andrade-Gómez (), Beatriz Rodríguez-Roca () and Isabel Gómez-Soria
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Estela Calatayud: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Ana Belen Subiron-Valera: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Yolanda Marcén-Román: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Carlos Salavera: Department of Psychology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Elena Andrade-Gómez: Department of Nursing, University of La Rioja, La Rioja, 26004 Logroño, Spain
Beatriz Rodríguez-Roca: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Isabel Gómez-Soria: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: The efficacy of cognitive stimulation programs for the elderly is sufficiently documented. However, few studies have addressed the effectiveness of language stimulation programs by cognitive levels in this population. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 308 participants from a primary care center and followed the CONSORT guidelines. A stratified randomization was carried out. The primary variable was the MEC-35, validated Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The secondary outcome variable was set-test, which evaluates verbal fluency in four categories. These tests were assessed for all outcome measures at baseline, at 10 weeks, at 6 months, and 1 year after the intervention. The intervention consisted of 10 sessions of 45 min/week for 10 weeks through mental activation notebooks that comprehensively work on the different cognitive functions. The results show that the comparisons between the control and intervention group turn out to be significant ( p < 0.05) at the three time points. The comprehensive cognitive stimulation program has made it possible to improve the global aspects of cognition, language proficiency, and verbal fluency. To optimize and maintain these results, it is necessary to consider other clinical, functional, psychological, and occupational aspects, as well as related educational aspects, which prevent mild cognitive impairment.

Keywords: cognitive stimulation; older adults; language; verbal fluency; subjective memory complaint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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