Effectiveness of Brain Training Program for Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment from Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

The objective of this quasi-experimental research with two-group pre- and post-test design was to examine the effect of a brain training program for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in Mueang district, Chaiyaphum province. Samples were 50 elderly with mild cognitive impairment in Tha Hin Ngom and Sap See Thong subdistricts selected through simple random sampling without replacement and assigned equally to experimental and control groups. Research tools included 1) Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, 2) depression test (2Q plus) and 3) brain training program for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. The data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, percentages and t-test for independent samples with significant level of 0.05. There were 46 persons successfully completed the programs. The drop-out was due to health problems and inconvenience of traveling. The results showed that those who received the brain training program for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment had a significantly higher average total cognitive score after receiving the program (t=5.18, p<0.001). When considering each aspect, it was found that the average scores of these areas were significantly higher after the program: attention (t=5.79, p<0.001), delayed recall (t=3.63, p=0.001), orientation (t=6.11, p<0.001). The experimental group had a significantly higher mean scores than those from the control group (t=5.54, p<0.001). When considering each aspect, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores on attention (t=4.45; p<0.001), delayed recall (t=3.63; p=0.001), orientation (t=6.11, p<0.001). No difference was found in visuospatial, executive functions, naming, memory, language and abstraction. It was recommended to train caregivers so they can encourage continuing activities at home. These activities should also be promoted at service centers and the elderly club.