AIM: Our goal was to test the hypothesis that positive tactile experiences can lead to an improvement in cognitive, emotional skills and perceived quality of life in a group of healthy community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: During a 10-week period, older adults completed a series of activities that required manipulating either a piece of velvet, a piece of canvas or velcro. RESULTS: Only older adults who worked with velvet showed an increase in cognitive and emotional skills, and the perceived quality of life. CONCLUSION: Our study is one of the first to show that positive tactile experiences might have a beneficial effect on the psychological well-being of healthy community-dwelling older adults across different domains.
AIM: Our goal was to test the hypothesis that positive tactile experiences can lead to an improvement in cognitive, emotional skills and perceived quality of life in a group of healthy community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: During a 10-week period, older adults completed a series of activities that required manipulating either a piece of velvet, a piece of canvas or velcro. RESULTS: Only older adults who worked with velvet showed an increase in cognitive and emotional skills, and the perceived quality of life. CONCLUSION: Our study is one of the first to show that positive tactile experiences might have a beneficial effect on the psychological well-being of healthy community-dwelling older adults across different domains.
Authors: Beth Fairfield; Mario Altamura; Flavia A Padalino; Angela Balzotti; Alberto Di Domenico; Nicola Mammarella Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2016-11-30 Impact factor: 4.157