Abstract
Aim: The aim of the research was to demonstrate the positive effect of cognitive training on the state of cognitive functions in seniors with dementia. Design: Qualitative cross-sectional study.
Methods: A total of 22 seniors who met the criteria (which we specified for listing in the selected sample) participated in the cognitive training. The seniors completed 14 lessons (each lasting 45 minutes) of intensive two-week group cognitive training.
The content included exercises for practicing attention and concentration, mnemotechnics and their application in life, and tasks for practicing short-term and long-term memory. All seniors were initially examined with the MoCA-CZ test.
After completing the group cognitive training, re-testing and final evaluation were performed. Microsoft Excel was used for statistical processing of the results.
Results: The cognitive training demonstrated a slight increase in the MoCA test score by 1-4 points in 18 cases. In four cases, the score did not change.
Thus, after 14 lessons of cognitive training, there was an average increase of the score by 2 points per person. Most of the participants also stated that the cognitive training was beneficial for them and encouraged them to be more active.
Moreover, they felt an improvement in cognitive functions after completing it. Conclusions: Cognitive training has proven to be an effective tool in improving cognitive functions and activity in seniors with mild to moderate dementia.