[Memory stimulation training and the functionality of the elderly without cognitive impairment: an integrative review]

Association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults

This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in 591 community-dwelling older adults living in the cities of Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba-SP. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument-CASI-S, considering a decline for scores <23 for those aged 60-69 and <20 for those aged ≥70 years. Among the evaluated cognitive domains, older adults with zinc deficiency had significantly lower mean scores on the memory test (p=0.018). For zinc deficiency, values below 70 µg/dL were considered for women and 74 µg/dL for men. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.9%, and cognitive deficit was 9.4%, being significantly higher in those with zinc deficiency compared with those with normal serum zinc concentrations. In adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that remained associated with cognitive decline were zinc deficiency (OR=3.80; 95%CI=1.30-11.12), low schooling level (OR=3.12; 95%CI=1.49-6.50), lack of a partner (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.04-3.42), risk of malnutrition (OR=3.98; 95%CI=2.36-6.71), and a history of encephalic vascular accident (OR=2.70; 95%CI=1.04-6.98). Zinc deficiency was associated with the presence of cognitive decline in older adults. Actions in primary health care are necessary to prevent the deficiency of this nutrient.

Treino cognitivo para idosos sem déficit cognitivo: uma intervenção da terapia ocupacional durante a pandemia da COVID- 19

Resumo Objetivo Tendo em vista as alterações cognitivas decorrentes do processo normal de envelhecimento, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desempenho de atividades rotineiras e cognitivas, qualidade de vida e sintomas depressivos de idosos saudáveis participantes e não participantes de treino cognitivo aplicado por terapeutas ocupacionais. Método ensaio clínico não randomizado, equiparado por alocação em grupos, com abordagem quantitativa de caráter analítico, longitudinal mensurado por meio de avaliações padronizadas: Escala de Depressão Geriátrica, Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke-Revisado, Inventário das Tarefas Rotineiras-Estendido, Avaliação de qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde WHOQOL (BREF e OLD), Instrumento de Avaliação das Atitudes em Relação ao Envelhecimento, aplicadas pré e pós-intervenção. Foram realizadas 24 sessões, duas vezes na semana, com duração de 60 minutos cada. A intervenção teve como base o declínio cognitivo natural do envelhecimento e abrangeu atividades e jogos analisados. Resultados grupo caso (n=10), com idade entre 62 e 74 anos (M=67,50, DP= 3,95); grupo controle (n=11), com idade entre 61 e 73 anos (M=68, DP= 4,12). O cálculo do tamanho de efeito (Cohen d) revelou efeito de treino para as seguintes variáveis: Sintomas depressivos (1,12); Cognição: memória (0,82), função visual-espacial (0,55), fluência (0,56), MEEM (1,00) e ACE-R (0,98); Qualidade de vida: funcionamento do sensório (0,61); intimidade (0,51) e físico (0,50). Não foram observados efeitos de ganho para as demais variáveis. Conclusão o treino cognitivo foi acompanhado de melhora dos participantes em parte das avaliações padronizadas, sugerindo que a intervenção favorece a melhora das funções cognitivas e a qualidade de vida e redução de sintomas depressivos de idosos participantes.

Association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in 591 community-dwelling older adults living in the cities of Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba-SP. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument-CASI-S, considering a decline for scores <23 for those aged 60-69 and <20 for those aged ≥70 years. Among the evaluated cognitive domains, older adults with zinc deficiency had significantly lower mean scores on the memory test (p=0.018). For zinc deficiency, values below 70 µg/dL were considered for women and 74 µg/dL for men. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.9%, and cognitive deficit was 9.4%, being significantly higher in those with zinc deficiency compared with those with normal serum zinc concentrations. In adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that remained associated with cognitive decline were zinc deficiency (OR=3.80; 95%CI=1.30-11.12), low schooling level (OR=3.12; 95%CI=1.49-6.50), lack of a partner (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.04-3.42), risk of malnutrition (OR=3.98; 95%CI=2.36-6.71), and a history of encephalic vascular accident (OR=2.70; 95%CI=1.04-6.98). Zinc deficiency was associated with the presence of cognitive decline in older adults. Actions in primary health care are necessary to prevent the deficiency of this nutrient.

Cognitive training using the abacus: a literature review study on the benefits for different age groups

The literature indicates that cognitive stimulation interventions have shown promising results. Abacus represents a tool with great potential in such interventions.