Helen Brooker1, Keith A Wesnes1,2,3,4, Clive Ballard1, Adam Hampshire5, Dag Aarsland5, Zunera Khan5, Rob Stenton6, Laura McCambridge7, Anne Corbett1. 1. Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. 2. Wesnes Cognition Ltd., Streatley on Thames, UK. 3. Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. 4. Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia. 5. Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK. 6. Manta Software, Cambridge, UK. 7. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The identification of modifiable lifestyle factors to preserve cognitive function in older individuals becomes increasingly of importance. This study examines whether word puzzle use is related to cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: Cognitive data from 19 078 cognitively healthy individuals aged 50 to 93 years enrolled into the online PROTECT study were evaluated for self-reported frequency of performing word puzzles on a six-point scale, ranging from "more than once per day" to "never". Nine cognitive tests covered a range of domains including focussed and sustained attention, information processing, executive function, working memory, and episodic memory. Analyses of covariance were used to determine any differences between the six response groups. RESULTS: Each of the 14 cognitive measures analysed showed highly statistically significant main effects of the frequency of performing word puzzles. For each measure, the group who never performed word puzzles performed most poorly, with the group who reported occasional puzzle use also performing more poorly than virtually every other group. Measures of speed provided the greatest discriminations, with a grammatical reasoning score differentiating the two highest frequency groups, performing word puzzles daily or more than once daily. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of word puzzle use is directly related to cognitive function in adults aged 50 and over. Future work needs to determine whether engaging in such puzzles can favourably influence cognitive trajectory with age.
OBJECTIVE: The identification of modifiable lifestyle factors to preserve cognitive function in older individuals becomes increasingly of importance. This study examines whether word puzzle use is related to cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: Cognitive data from 19 078 cognitively healthy individuals aged 50 to 93 years enrolled into the online PROTECT study were evaluated for self-reported frequency of performing word puzzles on a six-point scale, ranging from "more than once per day" to "never". Nine cognitive tests covered a range of domains including focussed and sustained attention, information processing, executive function, working memory, and episodic memory. Analyses of covariance were used to determine any differences between the six response groups. RESULTS: Each of the 14 cognitive measures analysed showed highly statistically significant main effects of the frequency of performing word puzzles. For each measure, the group who never performed word puzzles performed most poorly, with the group who reported occasional puzzle use also performing more poorly than virtually every other group. Measures of speed provided the greatest discriminations, with a grammatical reasoning score differentiating the two highest frequency groups, performing word puzzles daily or more than once daily. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of word puzzle use is directly related to cognitive function in adults aged 50 and over. Future work needs to determine whether engaging in such puzzles can favourably influence cognitive trajectory with age.
Authors: Con Stough; Madeleine Nankivell; David A Camfield; Naomi L Perry; Andrew Pipingas; Helen Macpherson; Keith Wesnes; Ruchong Ou; David Hare; Judy de Haan; Geoffrey Head; Peter Lansjoen; Alena Langsjoen; Brendan Tan; Matthew P Pase; Rebecca King; Renee Rowsell; Oliver Zwalf; Yossi Rathner; Matthew Cooke; Franklin Rosenfeldt Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2019-05-29 Impact factor: 5.750
Authors: Nicole F Ng; Allen M Osman; Kelsey R Kerlan; P Murali Doraiswamy; Robert J Schafer Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2021-01-08 Impact factor: 4.003