Influence of the Neurofeedback Training on Executive Functions in the Elderly
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2617-4723-2018-381-96-101Keywords:
women, advanced age, cognitive function, anxiety, depression, MOS, Corsi, NAAS, small cognitive impairmentAbstract
Old age is characterized by an increased risk of development of small cognitive defects of different etiologies. The problem is getting worse after sixty years, and in case of ignoring, it may suddenly develop into various genesis and severity dementia, often accompanied by emotional disorders. Various methods are used to improve cognitive abilities, one of which is neurofeedback training. Existing studies confirm the positive effect of the neurofeedback training on human brain cognitive activity under conditions of hyperactivity diagnosis, autism, epilepsy, cranio-cerebral trauma and stroke. At the same time, there is very insufficient information about such training effects in old age. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to detect executive functions changes of senile subjects after neurofeedback training.
The study was conducted on 25 females aged 60–75 years, who were divided into two groups – experimental (12 subjects) and control (13 subjects). The study included the stages: Stages 1 and 3 – estimation of cognitive functions (MCAs), of short-term spatial memory level (Corsi), anxiety and depression (NADS); stage 2 – neurofeedback training, which only the experimental group took part in.
According to the study results, after the neurofeedback training in experimental group a significant improvement of visual-constructive skills, working memory, short-term spatial memory, attention and concentration, speech was observed. Reducing of depression and anxiety level was also shown. No changes of the studied parameters were registered in the control group.
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