title: Cognitive intervention through a training program for picture book reading in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-pharmacological interventions are expected to be important strategies for reducing the age-adjusted prevalence of senile dementia, considering that complete medical treatment for cognitive decline has not yet been developed. From the viewpoint of long-term continuity of activity, it is necessary to develop various cognitive stimulating programs. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a cognitive intervention through a training program for picture book reading for community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight Japanese older participants were divided into the intervention and control groups using simple randomization (n =29 vs 29). In the intervention group, participants took part in a program aimed at learning and mastering methods of picture book reading as a form of cognitive training intervention. The control group listened to lectures about elderly health maintenance. Cognitive tests were conducted individually before and after the programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of memory retention, computed by dividing Logical Memory delayed recall by immediate recall, showed a significant interaction (p < .05) in analysis of covariance. Simple main effects showed that the rate of memory retention of the intervention group improved after the program completion (p < .05). In the participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) examined by Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) (n =14 vs 15), significant interactions were seen in Trail Making Test-A (p < .01), Trail Making Test-B (p < .05), Kana pick-out test (p < .05) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention effect was found in delayed verbal memory. This program is also effective for improving attention and executive function in those with MCI. The short-term interventional findings suggest that this program might contribute to preventing a decline in memory and executive function.
  UMIN000014712 (Date of ICMJE and WHO compliant trial information disclosure: 30 July 2014).
authors.affiliation: Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan. suzukihy@tmig.or.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuraoka
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasunaga
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Rumi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Yoh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohba
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001877:Books; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests