Effectiveness of a Cognitive Enhancement Program for Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment at the Elderly Club in Map Ta Phut City Municipality Rayong Province

Abstract

This study was quasi-experimental research using a one-group pretest-posttest design, with both pre- and post-test measurements. The objective was to examine the effects of a cognitive promotion program for elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment at the Elderly Club of Map Ta Phut Municipality, Rayong Province.

The sample consisted of 86 socially active elderly individuals aged 60 years and above, all of whom were members of the Map Ta Phut Municipality Elderly Club. Participants were screened using the Mini-Cog dementia assessment and selected if they scored 3 or lower. A multistage random sampling technique was used. The research instruments comprised two parts. The experimental instrument, a brain potential development program for individuals with mild cognitive impairment, adapted from the TEAMV program developed by the Somdej Phra Sangharaja Yanasangworn Institute of Geriatric Medicine. The data collection instruments: A personal data questionnaire The Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE), which had a content validity index of 0.92 The personal data questionnaire had a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means, percentages, and standard deviations. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare mean scores from repeated measurements.

The study results found that after using the program to promote cognition in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment in the Elderly Club of Map Ta Phut Municipality, Rayong Province, the sample group had a statistically significant increase in their average cognitive scores after the experiment at the 0.05 level (t=14.54, p=<0.001). From this study, the program should be integrated into the regular activities of the Elderly Club and public health volunteers or elderly caregivers in the community should be trained to be able to apply the program to at-risk groups at home or in the area.