The Effectiveness of Computer-Based Cognitive Exercises on Memory, Attention and Concentration in the Elderly with Mild Alzheimer's Disease Living in Nursing Homes

The elderly refers to a period of human's life during which their physical strength becomes weak and incapacitated, and they become exposed to all kinds of physical and mental diseases. Alzheimer’s disease seems to be on the diseases, among the common ones in the elderly, which causes dementia and forgetfulness, and can affect functions such as memory, attention and concentration. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive exercises (CBCEs) on memory, attention and concentration in the elderly with mild Alzheimer's disease living in nursing homes. This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population of this research was all the elderly with mild Alzheimer's disease living in nursing homes of Tehran in 2022, among whom 30 people were selected using convenience sampling as the statistical sample and randomly assigned into two 15-member groups of control and experimental. Used to collect data were cognitive exercises including 20 computer cognitive games, mini mental state examination (MMSE) and simple Stroop test. The experimental group performed sixteen 45-minute sessions of CBCEs, twice a week. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-26 software. Based on the findings, CBCEs had no significant effect on the memory of the elderly with mild Alzheimer's disease (P≥0.05). However, CBCEs were resulted in the improvement of concentration and attention in the elderly (P≤0.05). These findings provide scientific implications for experts in the field of geriatric psychology, as such CBCEs can be used as a targeted program in nursing homes in order to improve the condition of these people and strengthen the memory, attention and concentration of the elderly with mild Alzheimer’s disease.
 
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