Usha Dhakal, Sara J McLaughlin, Seonjin Kim, Jonathon M Vivoda, Amy Restorick Roberts, J Scott Brown
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Current evidence concerning the effect of physical activity and social engagement on cognitive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is underdeveloped. Drawing upon cognitive reserve theory, we used linear mixed models to investigate the impact of physical activity and social engagement on cognitive functioning in older adults living with MCI utilizing 16 years of data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 1462). The average cognitive score (sum of immediate and delayed word recall, serial seven subtraction test, counting backwards, range: 0-27) at baseline was 9.6, with the average score decreasing by 0.14 points each year. Controlling for covariates, each unit increase in physical activity and social engagement, respectively, reduced the effect of time on cognitive functioning by 0.01 (β = 0.007, p < .0001) and 0.03 (β = 0.029, p = .04) points, small effects that accumulate over time. Findings suggest that greater physical activity and social engagement offer cognitive protection among older adults experiencing MCI.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Applied Gerontology (JAG) is the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society. It features articles that focus on research applications intended to improve the quality of life of older persons or to enhance our understanding of age-related issues that will eventually lead to such outcomes. We construe application broadly and encourage contributions across a range of applications toward those foci, including interventions, methodology, policy, and theory. Manuscripts from all disciplines represented in gerontology are welcome. Because the circulation and intended audience of JAG is global, contributions from international authors are encouraged.