A simple crossword may be better than brain training when it comes to warding off dementia.
Brain training has become increasingly popular in recent years, aimed at keeping people’s brains active by getting them to play cognitively demanding computer games.
But older people tend to be more familiar with crosswords, which also boost brainpower, and may find these puzzles easier to complete.
A new study recruited more than 100 people aged 55 to 95, who had mild cognitive impairment but not dementia, and asked half to do brain-training.
Brain training has become increasingly popular in recent years, aimed at keeping people’s brains active by getting them to play cognitively demanding computer games. But older people tend to be more familiar with crosswords, which also boost brainpower. Pictured: Crossword in the October 27 edition of the Daily Mail
The rest did medium-difficulty crosswords, which they had 30 minutes to finish.
The study involved four brain-training or crossword sessions a week for three months, then four booster sessions in the next 15 months.
Memory problems got slightly worse over the full 18 months in those doing brain training.
But people given crosswords improved when tested on their mental abilities.
Dr D.P Devanand, who led the study from Columbia University, said: ‘This is the first study to compare crosswords and brain-training, and it suggests older people with cognitive impairment might benefit more from doing crosswords.
‘Crossword puzzles are enjoyed by many people.
‘The benefits were seen not only in cognition but also in daily activities and in reduced loss of brain volume.’
Brain-training games have previously been found to boost the mental abilities of people without existing memory problems, in studies of people aged 18 to 80.
But researchers believe crosswords may be better for older people struggling with forgetfulness, as the puzzles are less technical.
The study comparing the two techniques repeatedly used a cognitive test over 18 months to judge people’s mental abilities.
This test, marked out of 70, included tasks like naming objects and recalling words.
People doing brain-training, with typical games including remembering images flashing up on a screen, saw their test score fall by 0.4 points over 18 months.
But, surprisingly, people doing old-fashioned crosswords saw an improvement of almost one point in their questionnaire score, according to the study, published in the journal NEJM Evidence.
This was described as a ‘small to medium’ boost in mental abilities, but still significant.
For context, a dementia drug which boosted the average test score by two points – just a little higher than the effect of crosswords – would typically approved by regulators in the US, the researchers note.
The boost in brainpower, which was seen principally in people with more advanced memory decline, could have a significant effect on everyday life for older people struggling with their memory.
Those doing crosswords also scored slightly higher than the brain-training group in a questionnaire on their ability to do everyday tasks like shopping, paying bills, remembering appointments and taking medication.
The crossword group showed less shrinkage in their hippocampus, which is the memory region of the brain, after 18 months, and less shrinkage in their cortex.
When it comes to memory loss in older age, experts often use the phrase ‘use it or lose it’.
Using the brain more, for puzzles like crosswords, is believed to reduce the natural shrinkage of the brain, which can reduce memory loss and ward off dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment can be reversed, so that people have mental abilities within a normal range again, but if it gets worse, it can lead to dementia.
The study concludes: ‘Participants with late MCI may have found the (brain-training) games too difficult to comprehend and execute satisfactorily.
‘In contrast, most older adults are familiar with crossword puzzles, which were of medium difficulty in the trial and allowed participants to set their own pace.’
The study asked people to do crosswords on a screen, like those available on the Daily Mail Plus app.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6million by 2040.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
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