A simple exercise reduces the risk of dementia by 25%: A comprehensive scientific study
A recent long-term scientific study has revealed promising results in the field of mental health for older adults, with researchers finding that practicing a specific, simple brain exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to a quarter. These findings, published in the journal "Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Research," offer new hope in the fight against one of the most challenging diseases of modern times.
Global context and importance of the discovery
This discovery comes at a time of growing global concern about rising rates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. According to the World Health Organization, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, currently affecting approximately 57 million people. With no fully effective or radical drug treatments available, or with the high cost of existing medications, the scientific and medical community is focusing on preventative interventions and lifestyle modifications that can delay or prevent cognitive decline.
The importance of this study lies in the fact that it was based on a "Randomized Controlled Trial", which is the gold standard in medical scientific research, thus giving high credibility to the results compared to observation-based studies only.
Details of the "Active" study and its methodology
The study, known as ACTIVE, which began in the late 1990s, included more than 2,800 healthy older adults aged 65 and older. Study co-author Marilyn Alpert of Johns Hopkins University in the United States said that this study provides, for the first time, strong evidence about what can actually be done to reduce the risk of dementia.
Participants were randomly divided into four groups: three groups received different types of cognitive training (memory, logical reasoning, and processing speed), and a fourth group received no training (control group). Participants underwent one-hour training sessions twice a week for five weeks, with reinforcement sessions after one year and three years, so that the total training time did not exceed 24 hours.
"Processing Speed" Exercise: The Secret Behind Prevention
A long-term follow-up study spanning 20 years revealed a scientific surprise. While memory and logical reasoning exercises made no statistically significant difference in dementia rates, a "processing speed" exercise proved to be the decisive factor. This exercise involves a computer game where the user must identify images (such as cars and traffic lights) that appear and disappear rapidly in different locations on the screen, thus training the brain to process visual information quickly and accurately.
According to Medicare records, two decades later, individuals who underwent speed training and related augmentation sessions had a 25% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not. Researchers emphasized that this type of non-pharmaceutical and inexpensive intervention could be an effective public health strategy, particularly since it relies on brain training rather than costly drugs.
