Scientists have been preaching the benefits of mental exercise to seniors for years, but a study released Tuesday may be the clincher that people in their golden years have been waiting for.
The study found that a little mental workout goes a long way, and that a sharper mind can make it easier to cope with everyday tasks such as driving, bookkeeping, shopping and cooking that get more challenging with age.
"Our findings clearly suggest that people who engage in an active program of mental training in late life can experience long-lasting gains from that training," said Michael Marsiske of the University of Florida.
PHOTO: EPA
The volunteers in the study did a modest amount of problem solving or memory enhancing training, no more than 18 hours in any given case. But the pay-off was dramatic.
The seniors who got the training reported less difficulty in performing everyday chores — such as doing simple arithmetic in their heads and looking up numbers in a telephone book — than a "control" group of pensioners who did not get the mental tune-up.
The results suggest that certain mental exercises can offset some of the age-related decline in older adults' thinking skills and that some of the benefits of short-term cognitive training can persist for as long as five years.
The study group that showed the most benefit, at least as far as real-life functioning was concerned, was the problem-solving group, according to Marsiske.
"Cognitive training programs may give individuals a greater sense of control over the disturbing prospect of cognitive decline and have a beneficial effect on their quality of life," said Sally Shumaker, a researcher in the university's department of public health sciences.(AFP)
多年來科學家不斷向白髮族灌輸動動腦的好處，週二發表的一份研究，對處於已屆退休之齡的老年人而言，更可說是期盼已久的關鍵報告。
研究發現，稍做腦力激盪助益良多，靈活的腦袋易於解決隨著年紀增長愈來愈有挑戰性的日常生活問題，諸如開車、記帳、購物和做飯。
佛羅里達大學的麥克．馬西斯克表示
︰「我們的研究結果清楚顯示，晚年從事積極腦部訓練的人較享受持久的好處。」
自願參加研究的民眾會做適量的問題解決或接受強化記憶訓練，任何一種都不超過十八小時，但好處卻驚人。
接受訓練的長者在執行每天日常家務時─如進行簡單心算，自電話簿找電話號碼─都會比控制組中未接受腦袋強化訓練的年長者輕鬆。
結果顯示特定的腦部訓練可以彌補部份年齡增長帶來的思考技能衰退，而部分短期認知訓練的獲益可持續最長五年之久。
馬西斯克表示，至少就現實生活功能而言，研究團體中受益最多的是問題解決這一組。
佛羅里達大學公共衛生系研究員莎莉．舒馬克表示︰「認知訓練讓個人較能掌控惱人的認知衰退，對他們的生活品質也有所助益。」
（法新社╱翻譯︰鄭湘儀）
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