The cognitive consequences of the program “memory in motion” for the elders

Abstract

The objective of this article is to evaluate the cognitive effects obtained after the application of an intervention program of cognitive stimulation for the elders denominate “Memory in motion ”Quasi-experimental investigation was applied to three groups with different characteristics: Group A: without cognitive deterioration, without mobility problems and without no becoming institutionalized; Group B: without cognitive deterioration, with some mobility problems and become institutionalized; and Group C: with some cognitive deterioration, without mobility problems and become institutionalized. The sample of study is constituted by 66 elders (aged 65+). In order to evaluate the effect of the program it was used the Mini Cognitive Examination (MEC), The Digit Test and a Motricity Memory Test that was elaborated by the own investigation team. The information collection was carried out at two moments (pre-test and post-test) of the program. It has been found that there is a significant improvement of the group A in all the measurements studied. On the other hand the group B achieved significant improvements in the MEC, but it did not get significant improvements in the rest of values, and the group C gets no significant deterioration in all the values. The program "Memory in Motion" turns out to be adapted for the elders with the characteristics of the group A. However it is necessary to extend the intervention sample to be able to ratify the results reached in the different intervention groups.
Key Words:  The elders, memory, motricity, cognition, physical activity.