Effects Of Finger Exercise On Cognitive And Social Function In Communitydwelling Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the status and determine the relationship between cognitive function and social function among elderly community dwellers with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Meanwhile this study also validates the effects of finger exercise on cognitive function and social function among older adults with MCI.MethodA convenient sampling technique was used in this study among older adults with MCI(n=80)aged 60 years old and above from Houqili community,Taian City,Shandong province,who were screened by using their baseline MoCA score.Participants who meet the inclusion criteria were randomized to either experimental group(n=40)or control group(n=40).Based on conventional health services,the experimental group attended finger exercise along with MCI health education programme,whereas the control group only followed MCI health education programme.Result1.Results show that the effect of finger exercise on cognitive function among older adults with MCI in community as following:(1)The score of MMSE: With the intervention,scores of MMSE and dimensions of attention and computation,delayed recall,language matters are significant higher than that of experimental group(P<0.05).Furthermore,there is no statistical difference of MMSE and each dimensions in control group(P>0.05).Scores of MMSE,attention and calculation,and delayed recall in experimental group are significantly increased comparing to control group before and after intervention(P<0.05).(2)The score of P300 after intervention: Scores of P300 latency periods in Fz,Cz and Pz in experimental group are significantly shorter than before,and the amplitude increased than before(P<0.05).There is no statistical difference on the score of P300 latency periods and amplitude in control group(P>0.05).Scores of P300 latency periods in Fz,Cz and Pz in experimental group are significantly decreased than that of control group,the score of P300 amplitude in Pz is significantly increased than control group.And there is a significant difference of P300 latency periods in Fz,Cz and Pz(P<0.05),but no statistical difference on P300 amplitude in Fz and Cz(P>0.05).2.Results show that the effect of finger exercise on social function among older adults with MCI in communityAfter intervention,scores of FAQ,items of paying attention and understanding are significantly lower than before(P<0.05).There is a trend of significantly lower scores than that of control group before and after intervention(P<0.05)on FAQ and items of preparing a balanced meal,paying attention and understanding.There is no statistical difference of FAQ and each items of control group(P>0.05),except items of paying attention and understanding.3.The cor-relational analysis of social and cognitive functions:The total score of FAQ is negatively correlated with the total score of MMSE and its dimensions.The total score of MMSE is negatively correlated with the total score of FAQ and each of items;There is no significant correlation between the language dimension of MMSE and each items of FAQ.In addition,the scores on items of paying records,playing games of skill,traveling out of the neighborhood,keeping track of current events,preparing balanced meals and the rest dimensions of the MMSE are negatively correlated.The score of writing checks is negatively correlated with those of orientation,memory,delayed recall.The score of shopping alone is negatively correlated with that of memory,attention and calculation,delayed recall.The score of using stove is negatively correlated with that of memory,attention and calculation,delayed recall.The score of paying attention and understanding are negatively correlated with those of orientation,memory,delay memories.The score of remembering appointment is negatively correlated with that of memory,attention and calculation,delayed recall.The scores of P300 latency periods in Pz and items of keeping track of current events are positively correlated.The scores of P300 amplitude in Fz and items of paying attention and understanding are negatively correlated.The scores of P300 amplitude in Cz and item of playing games of skill are negatively correlated.Conclusion1.The finger exercise programme demonstrated significant improvement of cognitive function and social function,which is a quite practical method for caring communitydwelling older adults with MCI.2.Finger exercise may serve as a simple,easy and cost-effective programme,by which community-dwelling older adults with MCI can benefit.