Abstract
Dual tasks that combine exercise and cognitive tasks have efficacy as an intervention in suppressing cognitive decline among the elderly. This study aimed to examine the improvement that dual tasks (occupation and cognitive tasks) have on cognitive and mental functions. A single-arm study was conducted among 15 elderly people for six months. Intervention was determined as follows: 1) Description of important occupations, 2) Self- selection of cognitive tasks, and 3) Self-selection of occupation that incorporated cognitive tasks. Outcome indica- tors were logical memory I and II as a sub-item of the WMS-R, Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Position Stroop test as a sub-item of the CAT, CAS questionnaire, CES-D, and SF-36. All participants were able to complete the intervention with no adverse effects. Indicators that showed significant improvement before and after the inter- vention were logical memory II (p < 0.01, effect size = 0.58), Position Stroop test (p = 0.03, effect size = 0.53), CES-D (p < 0.01, effect size = 1.00), CAS (p = 0.04, effect size = 0.49), and social life function (p = 0.04, effect size = 0.53). Integrating cognitive tasks into occupations may help improve delayed recall and attention, alleviate depression, and increase motivation.
