Department of Biological Regulation, School of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan.
PLoS One. 2021 Dec 13;16(12):e0248446. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248446. eCollection 2021.
We examined the changes in cognitive function due to restrictions in daily life during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive decline. This was a retrospective, case-control study. The participants include 88 older adults with mild cognitive decline (mean age = 81.0 [standard deviation = 6.5] years) who participated in a class designed to help prevent cognitive decline. This class was suspended from early-March to end of May 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and resumed in June 2020. We collected demographic and cognitive function test data (Touch Panel-type Dementia Assessment Scale [TDAS]) before and after class suspension and questionnaire data on their lifestyle and thoughts during the suspension. Change in TDAS scores from before and after the suspension was used to divide the participants into decline (2 or more points worsening) and non-decline (all other participants) groups, with 16 (18.2%) and 72 (81.8%) participants in each group, respectively. A logistic regression model showed that the odds ratio (OR) for cognitive decline was lower in participants whose responses were "engaged in hobbies" (OR = 0.07, p = 0.015), "worked on a worksheet about cognitive training provided by the town hall" (OR = 0.19, p = 0.026), and "had conversations over the phone" (OR = 0.28, p = 0.0495). There was a significant improvement in TDAS scores after class was resumed (p < 0.01). A proactive approach to intellectual activities and social ties may be important for the prevention of cognitive decline during periods of restrictions due to COVID-19. We found that cognitive function test scores before class suspension significantly improved after resuming classes. We speculate that continued participation in this class led to positive behavioral changes in daily life during periods of restriction due to COVID-19.
我们研究了在 COVID-19 大流行期间，日常生活受限对社区居住的轻度认知障碍老年患者认知功能变化的影响。这是一项回顾性病例对照研究。参与者包括 88 名轻度认知障碍的老年人（平均年龄=81.0[标准差=6.5]岁），他们参加了旨在帮助预防认知能力下降的课程。该课程从 2020 年 3 月初至 5 月底暂停，以防止 COVID-19 的传播，并于 2020 年 6 月恢复。我们收集了课程暂停前后的人口统计学和认知功能测试数据（触摸屏型痴呆评估量表[TDAS]），以及暂停期间他们的生活方式和思维的问卷调查数据。使用 TDAS 评分从暂停前后的变化将参与者分为下降（恶化 2 分或更多）和非下降（所有其他参与者）组，每组分别有 16（18.2%）和 72（81.8%）名参与者。逻辑回归模型显示，认知下降的可能性（OR）在以下参与者中较低：“从事爱好”（OR=0.07，p=0.015），“完成镇公所提供的认知训练工作表”（OR=0.19，p=0.026），“通过电话交谈”（OR=0.28，p=0.0495）。课程恢复后，TDAS 评分有显著提高（p<0.01）。在 COVID-19 限制期间，积极参与智力活动和社会联系对于预防认知能力下降可能很重要。我们发现，课程恢复后，认知功能测试评分显著提高。我们推测，在 COVID-19 限制期间，继续参加该课程导致日常生活中的积极行为改变。
