Publications and Scholarship
Document Type
Conference Presentation
Publication Date
3-2013
Keywords
older adults, Sheridan Elder Research Centre
Abstract
Computerized brain training programs represent an area of increasing interest because of the protective and restorative effects of regular, targeted cognitive training.
As we consider the increasing number of older Canadians (Statistics Canada, 2011) these programs take on particular significance as potential interventions to protect against age-related cognitive declines (Kueider et al., 2012)
In a large-scale RCT study, Smith et al. (2009) investigated the efficacy of the commercially available Brain Fitness Program software (BFP) from Posit Science. Older adult participants completed the training program in their homes and showed improvements on generalized measures of memory and attention (Smith et al., 2009). Despite positive results, both the efficacy and transferability of these effects may be limited (Buitenweg, Murre & Ridderinkhof, 2012). Nevertheless, some authors speculate that such interventions might still be practically useful for the user (Rabipour & Raz, 2012). In view of this hypothesis, we sought to evaluate the effects and implementation of a community-based brain training program specifically for older adults. Using a novel community-based brain training model (the ‘brain gym’ model), we established ‘brain gyms’ (BGs) in several community locations attended regularly by older adults, including a senior’s recreation centre, a public library and a retirement residence. Participants were required to complete 40 hours of training using the Posit Science BFP software (1 hour per day, 5 days per week) at their BG location. Standardized measurements of memory, attention and activities of daily living (ADLs) were collected pre- and post-training, and qualitative data relating to the enjoyment and usefulness of the training and the BG location were also collected. Eleven older adults aged 68-75 completed the training across four community locations. Cognitively, participants showed slight, non-significant improvements in memory and attention; there was no significant effect of training on their ADLs. Subjectively they reported greater alertness, improved concentration and memory, and decreased distractibility. Most participants also reported enjoying the challenge of the program, the opportunities for socialization at the BG locations, and were motivated to continue brain training activities independently. Most participants felt that it was moderately easy to incorporate training at the BG into their daily schedule, suggesting that the BG model may be an effective and innovative approach to encourage cognitive training at the community level. Challenges inherent in community-based delivery, as well as recommendations for implementation (including online and at-home options) will be discussed.
Faculty
Research Centres
School
Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC)
Version
Publisher's version
Peer Reviewed/Refereed Publication
no
Funder
This work was funded by a contribution from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Terms of Use
Terms of Use for Works posted in SOURCE.
Copyright
© Sheridan
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Original Publication Citation
Owsik, M. M., Fanni, F., Spadafora, P., & Tsotsos, L. E. (2013). The ‘brain gym’ approach: Testing a community-based brain training model for older adults. Oakville: Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC).
SOURCE Citation
Owsik, Marta; Fanni, Frieda; Spadafora, Pat; and Tsotsos, Lia, "The ‘Brain Gym’ Approach: Testing a Community-based Brain Training Model for Older Adults" (2013). Publications and Scholarship. 29.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/centres_elder_publ/29
