The effect of pebble stone classification activity on executive function in mild cognitive impairment patients at cognitive fitness center of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
Keywords:
Executive function, mild cognitive impairment, pebble stone classification activityAbstract
Background: Previous studies have indicated that mental stimulating activities can significantly help prevent dementia. According to these reports, to engage dementia patients in the natural environment can keep up the sensory skills. It also provides stress reduction and improves their emotional state. The researchers are interested in integrative brain exercise activity. Expectedly, the practices are able not only to improve brain function, but also to enhance the opportunity of dementia patients for natural treatments.
Objectives: To study results of pebble stone classification activity on executive function in patients with mildcognitive impairment.
Methods: Data were collected from 24 elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment using personal information survey, Thai mental state examination (TMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Thai geriatric depression scale (TGDS), Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery (CANTAB). The experimental group practiced for 5 weeks. Then they were requested to take the cognitive performance test. Descriptive statistics were applied to demonstrate the patients general characteristics. A changed score between before and after the experiment was analyzed using non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed Ranks. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used for hypothesis test and to compared the mean differences between the two groups.
Results: CANTAB scores of cognitive function showed a trend towards marginal statistical significance (P < 0.1) (RVP Mean latency (P = 0.065)), Total score from the activity is significantly higher (P = 0.039).
Conclusion: Practicing the pebble stone classification activity can improve brain performance related to the sustained attention which affects better executive function. However, it can be concluded from the result that there is a good improvement in brain function of the patients.
