Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea
(1) Background: Continuous participation in a comprehensive dementia prevention program is important for community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as limitations on their communities and social participation have increased and participation in daily tasks ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/10/1376 |
| _version_ | 1797599981417267200 |
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| author | Kyoung-Chul Min Eun-Hee Kim Hee-Soon Woo Chiang-Soon Song |
| author_facet | Kyoung-Chul Min Eun-Hee Kim Hee-Soon Woo Chiang-Soon Song |
| author_sort | Kyoung-Chul Min |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Continuous participation in a comprehensive dementia prevention program is important for community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as limitations on their communities and social participation have increased and participation in daily tasks has decreased. These factors can negatively affect their cognitive function and symptoms of depression. This study aimed to introduce an evidence-based online dementia prevention program in the South Korean context and to identify its effect on cognitive function and symptoms of depression in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: One hundred and one community-dwelling older adults without dementia participated in twelve sessions of an online dementia prevention program designed by occupational therapists. Cognitive function and symptoms of depression were assessed before and after the program. Cognitive function was tested using the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test and symptoms of depression were assessed using the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale. The participants’ opinions were gathered using open-ended questions. (3) Results: After the program, according to the raw score, orientation was maintained and attention, visuospatial function, executive function, memory, and language function increased. The memory and total cognitive score was improved significantly. Symptoms of depression significantly decreased. The program’s benefits according to the participants were participation in new activities, boredom reduction, online communication, and reminiscence. (4) Conclusions: An online dementia prevention program is effective in maintaining and increasing cognitive function and preventing depression in community-dwelling older adults. An online dementia prevention program is a useful method in providing opportunities to participate in cognitive training and continuous daily activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:42:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e4d60f34a1cb46749e930982b722b24b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:42:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-e4d60f34a1cb46749e930982b722b24b2023-11-18T01:31:26ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-05-011110137610.3390/healthcare11101376Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in KoreaKyoung-Chul Min0Eun-Hee Kim1Hee-Soon Woo2Chiang-Soon Song3Department of Occupational Therapy, Seoul Metropolitan Childern’s Hospital, Hunneungro 260, Seochogu, Seoul 60801, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Uiwang city Public Health Center, Obongro 34, Uiwang, 16075 Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, 460 Iksandae-ro, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54538, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, College of Natural Science and Public Health and Safety, Chosun University, Chosundae-5gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea(1) Background: Continuous participation in a comprehensive dementia prevention program is important for community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as limitations on their communities and social participation have increased and participation in daily tasks has decreased. These factors can negatively affect their cognitive function and symptoms of depression. This study aimed to introduce an evidence-based online dementia prevention program in the South Korean context and to identify its effect on cognitive function and symptoms of depression in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: One hundred and one community-dwelling older adults without dementia participated in twelve sessions of an online dementia prevention program designed by occupational therapists. Cognitive function and symptoms of depression were assessed before and after the program. Cognitive function was tested using the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test and symptoms of depression were assessed using the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale. The participants’ opinions were gathered using open-ended questions. (3) Results: After the program, according to the raw score, orientation was maintained and attention, visuospatial function, executive function, memory, and language function increased. The memory and total cognitive score was improved significantly. Symptoms of depression significantly decreased. The program’s benefits according to the participants were participation in new activities, boredom reduction, online communication, and reminiscence. (4) Conclusions: An online dementia prevention program is effective in maintaining and increasing cognitive function and preventing depression in community-dwelling older adults. An online dementia prevention program is a useful method in providing opportunities to participate in cognitive training and continuous daily activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/10/1376community-based occupational therapydaily task participationdementia prevention programonline dementia prevention programonline cognitive therapy |
| spellingShingle | Kyoung-Chul Min Eun-Hee Kim Hee-Soon Woo Chiang-Soon Song Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea Healthcare community-based occupational therapy daily task participation dementia prevention program online dementia prevention program online cognitive therapy |
| title | Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea |
| title_full | Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea |
| title_short | Effectiveness of an Online Dementia Prevention Program on Cognitive Function and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea |
| title_sort | effectiveness of an online dementia prevention program on cognitive function and depression in community dwelling older adults during the covid 19 pandemic in korea |
| topic | community-based occupational therapy daily task participation dementia prevention program online dementia prevention program online cognitive therapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/10/1376 |
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