Evaluation of a dementia prevention program to improve health and social care and promote human rights among older adults
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Published:2022-12-01
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Volume:
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ISSN:2056-4902
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Container-title:International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
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language:en
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Short-container-title:IJHRH
Author:
Kaneko Keisuke,Sasamori Fumihito,Okuhara Masao,Maruo Suchinda Jarupat,Ashida Kazuki,Tabuchi Hisaaki,Akasaki Hisaki,Kobayashi Kazuki,Aoyagi Yuya,Watanabe Noriaki,Nishino Tomoyuki,Terasawa Koji
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate a human rights-informed dementia prevention program promoting better health and social care among older adults. In this study, the authors examined whether a dual-task training would improve cognition in healthy older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
Individuals attending the systematic health education program for older adults based in Japan were recruited for study inclusion, and divided into a dual-task training group (TG) and a control group (CG). The TG underwent 90 min of a weekly dual-task training for 12 weeks. Severity of dementia was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. Brain function was assessed using a go/no-go task paradigm, during which cerebral blood flow was additionally measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb).
Findings
MMSE total score, number of errors in the go/no-go tasks and oxy-Hb values showed significant improvements in the TG.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the small number of participants allocated to the CG, the results must be interpreted with caution. Replication and further validation based on large-scale, randomized-controlled trials is warranted.
Practical implications
This study highlights potential benefits of incorporating an early prevention training for dementia into a human rights-friendly health education program.
Social implications
This study suggests a potential means to reduce costs of social security and health care by introducing a human rights-informed dementia prevention program.
Originality/value
The results suggest that dual-task training may improve cognitive function in healthy older adults, thereby contributing to better health and improvement of social health care, based on a human rights-informed health education program for the prevention of dementia.
Subject
Health Policy,Public Administration,Sociology and Political Science,Social Psychology,Health (social science)
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