According to one study, using computers, playing games such as crosswords and chess may prevent older people from developing dementia more than knitting, painting or socializing.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the findings may help older individuals and aged care professionals plan more targeted approaches to reducing dementia risk.
The researchers collected data from 10,318 Australians aged 70 and over. They found that participants who regularly did adult literacy and mental acuity tasks such as education classes, journal keeping and doing crosswords were 9-11 percent less likely to develop dementia than their peers.
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Creative hobbies such as crafting, knitting and painting and more passive activities such as reading reduced the risk by 7 percent.
In contrast, the size of one’s social network and the frequency of outdoor outings to the cinema or restaurant were not associated with a reduction in dementia risk.
The results remained statistically significant even when adjusted for initial education level and socioeconomic status. No significant difference was found between men and women.
In 2022, 55 million people will be living with dementia globally, with 10 million new cases each year.
Senior author Associate Professor Joan Ryan, from Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said identifying strategies to prevent or delay dementia was a huge global priority.
Professor Ryan said: “We had a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in knowledge by examining a wide range of lifestyle promotion activities that older adults often do, and assessing which of them are most effective in preventing dementia. was most strongly attached to.
“I think our results tell us that the active manipulation of previously stored knowledge may play a greater role in reducing dementia risk than more passive recreational activities. Keeping the mind active and challenged may be particularly important.” Is.”
Professor Ryan said the results did not rule out that people who are naturally drawn to leisure activities linked to cognitive health also have specific personality traits that are otherwise beneficial, or that they generally have But there can be better health practices.