Proof that puzzles can reverse cognitive impairment

Scientists have proven for the first time that simple activities and small lifestyle changes can reverse cognitive impairment.

Puzzles, learning new skills and social interaction have been linked with maintaining cognitive function.

Now – in the first large-scale trial in community settings – researchers have found that even very brief brain stimulating activities, alongside physical activity and a healthy diet, have a significant impact.

They studied more than 11,500 people aged 60 to 85 with mild to severe cognitive impairment.

After 12 months, 28 per cent of study participants no longer had cognitive impairment.

Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton and study co-lead, said: “This is the first large trial to test brief interventions over a sustained period with people recruited in primary care via GPs and nurse practitioners. We have shown that simply giving advice and pointing people towards brain stimulating activities has a real impact. That’s important because it can happen with minimal input and cost. Previous trialled interventions have been shorter term and requiring a lot more resource from health service providers.”

Participants in the study were split into three groups. Members of the first group (the control group) were asked about their brain stimulating activities, their cognitive function was tested and they were given brief advice about how to protect cognitive health via physical activity, a heathy diet and brain stimulating activities.

Brain stimulating activities are things that engage the brain to think, learn and be social – such as puzzles, online brain training games, playing a musical instrument, singing in a choir, learning a new language, and social activities and interaction.

“We thought there would be relatively little effect from this, but there was in fact a big effect,” explained Professor Little. “After 12 months, 28 per cent of people in this first group no longer had cognitive impairment.”

Most participants already had reasonably healthy activity levels and diet, so the significant improvement in their cognitive function is believed to be a result of simple activities that use the brain.

A second group was given access to a website with brain exercises and advice, and a third group was offered two brief appointments, phone calls or emails from a facilitator, usually a nurse.

Of those who had access to the website, there was an 8 per cent reduction in the number of people who had mild cognitive impairment compared to the control group. And of those who had the extra support, there was an 18 per cent reduction.

Professor Little, who co-led the study with Lucy Yardley, Professor of Health Psychology at the Universities of Southampton and Bristol, explained: “These are really exciting findings that people can easily take on board. Simple messages and simple things that people can do really make a difference – and the NHS does not need to spend a lot of money.

“It’s an important health message. The brain remains plastic and malleable, so it can learn new things, well into older age, so you can really make a difference and combat cognitive decline.

“We have an ageing population where cognitive impairment and dementia is incredibly common. About 20 per cent of over 65s have cognitive impairment and about 10 per cent of those will go on to develop dementia each year.

“It’s probably the biggest public health danger of our time. The great thing is that we can do something about it.”

The Active Brains study is published in The Lancet Primary Care .

The University of Southampton has announced plans for a groundbreaking new medical institute which will bring medics, computer scientists and engineers together in one brand new building. The pioneering Institute for Medical Innovation will be based at University Hospital Southampton and will tackle five devastating disease areas - cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection and respiratory and allergic conditions.