Effects of a Training Program Based on Abacus and Other Activities in Healthy Older Adults

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aging

Treatments: Other: Different group activities; Behavioral: Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02897102

257651

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured program, which was based on abacus training associated with other activities, administered as weekly group classes over a 7 month period in older adults.

Full description

Cognitive stimulating activities are often recommended for older adults; however, little is known regarding the effects of these activities on cognition, motivation and quality of life in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured program, which was based on abacus training associated with other activities, administered as weekly group classes over a 7 month period in older adults. Eighty-eight older adults were enrolled in an open-label controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of this training program on cognition, motivation and quality of life. Training had a significant effect over time; the training group maintained their level of performance on verbal learning and memory tasks, whereas the control group exhibited a significant decrease in performance from baseline to post-intervention. The subjects in the training group were more motivated to learn at study entry; however, the training had no significant effect on motivation or quality of life. Abacus training associated with other activities may benefit verbal learning and memory in older adults. Additional studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to determine whether the results of this training will have a positive effect on the lives of older adults.

Enrollment: 88 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 60 years
• Score ≥ 26 on the Mini-Mental State Examination
• Portuguese as a native language.

Exclusion criteria

• A neurological or serious medical condition that would prevent participation in the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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88 participants in 2 patient groups

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The individuals in the control group chose to participate in different group activities: ballroom dancing (5 participants), belly dancing (4 participants), chorus (16 participants), Spanish classes (8 participants) and chorus and Spanish classes (6 participants). The activities were offered once per week in 2 hours classes for 35 weeks and were held between April and November of 2013.

Treatment:

Other: Different group activities

Training group

Experimental group

Description:

was offered in one weekly class for 2 hours for 35 weeks between April and November of 2013. The first 50 minutes were spent performing exercises with the abacus, with increasing difficulty. One or two of the following activities followed the abacus training: playing games, neurobic and group dynamics.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Training