健常高齢者の局所脳体積に対するPICMORの介入効果に関する予備的検討

抄録

To improve cognitive functions in older adults, we have developed a social activity-based intervention program, named Photo-Integrated Conversation Moderated by Robots (PICMOR). To examine the intervention effects on cognitive functions, we previously conducted a randomized controlled trial for healthy older adults. In this pilot study, we conducted a follow-up experiment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide candidate brain regions that could reflect the beneficial effects of PICMOR on the volume. Results showed that the volume of the lateral prefrontal cortex was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group. We also identified greater volume in the intervention group in the medial temporal lobe, posterior middle temporal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus. No regions showed greater volume in the control group than in the intervention group. Future research is needed to confirm this possible intervention effect by collecting and comparing MRI data from the pre- and post-intervention periods.