Older Adults can Improve Cognitive Function by Learning a New Mentally Demanding Skill

Older adults who learn a new mentally demanding skill can improve their cognitive function, revealed a study conducted at University of Texas. During the study, participants were assigned to learn a new skill digital photography, quilting, or both which required active engagement and tapped working memory, long-term memory and other high-level cognitive processes. Researcher Jennifer Lodi-Smith PhD, assistant professor of psychology at Canisius College, said, "At the end of three months, we found that only the group who learned digital photography grew in their memory skills."

The other participants were then asked to participate in more familiar activities such as crossword puzzles, watch documentaries and listen to classical music. To evaluate for the possible influence of social contact, some participants were assigned to a group that included field trips and entertainment. However, the researchers found that getting involved socially, or doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, were just not as beneficial as learning something new where one really has to put that effort in.

Source-Medindia