The Effects of a Traditional Play Application on Cognitive Function, Depression, and Quality of Life in an Elderly Individual with D ementia: A S ingle-Subject Study

Objective : This study aims to examine the effects of a traditional play application on cognitive function, depression, and quality of life in an elderly individual with dementia. Methods : The study was conducted from November 4 to December 2, 2024, involving a 75-year-old elderly individual with dementia, who was hospitalized at Hospital A. The participant used the traditional play application for 30 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of 12 sessions over four weeks. The research design employed a single-subject experimental research design (AB design). Assessments were conducted at four time points: baseline (A), 1 week after the intervention (B-1), 2 weeks after the intervention (B-2), and at the end of the intervention (B-3), measuring cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Results : The standard scores of ognitive function, depression, overall quality of life, satisfaction, physical health, psychological domain, and environmental domain in elderly individuals with dementia improved. However, there was no change in the social domain scores. Conclusion : This study applied a traditional play applications to an elderly individual with dementia to examine its effects on cognitive function, depression, and quality of life. In the future, it is hoped that various comparative studies will be conducted by comparing existing applications and cognitive training for elderly individuals with dementia.