Author: Patrick Fissler (2018)
Published in: Dissertation, University of Ulm
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18725/OPARU-9704
Objective:
To investigate how cognitive training, physical exercise, and cognitively engaging leisure activities affect healthy cognitive aging, and to identify key "active ingredients" that enhance intervention efficacy and neuroplasticity in older adults.
Key Findings:
· Active Lifestyle Outperforms Traditional Training:
Cognitive improvements were more associated with everyday cognitively and physically active lifestyles than with structured training interventions.
· Three Frameworks for Effective Interventions:
o Overlapping Variability: Combining varied, process-specific cognitive demands (e.g., gaming).
o Guided Plasticity Facilitation: Temporal proximity between cognitive and physical tasks enhances outcomes.
o Plasticity Components: Incorporating novel, educational content boosts cognitive engagement.
· Novel Interventions Show Promise:
o A board/card gaming intervention and a combined cognitive-physical training program both improved broad cognitive functions in older adults.
· Jigsaw Puzzles as Enrichment:
o Lifelong puzzling experience correlated with better cognitive aging.
o A short 30-day jigsaw puzzle intervention did not significantly improve cognition.
· White Matter Integrity Findings:
o No direct link found between short-term interventions and changes in white matter integrity.
o However, stronger training outcomes were associated with better white matter health.
Conclusion:
· Everyday lifestyle may contain more effective cognitive-enhancing elements than many traditional training programs.
· Intervention design should:
o Emphasize variability, novelty, and meaningful content.
o Combine physical and cognitive tasks in close proximity.
o Explore under-researched, real-world activities like puzzles and games.
· Cognitive benefits may depend on training dose and individual health status.
· Neurobiological adaptation, like white matter changes, may require longer interventions or differ by individual.
Disclaimer:
This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The research described is based on published peer-reviewed findings. Please consult a healthcare professional before making lifestyle or cognitive training changes, especially if you have a medical condition or cognitive impairment.
Healthy cognitive aging through cognitive training, physical exercise, and leisure activities : from theory to new interventions http://dx.doi.org/10.18725/OPARU-9704
