An Integrated Program to Improve Cognitive and Physical Abilities in Older People

Integrated programs combining two or more interventions, such as cognitive training and exercise, are attracting attention as a non-pharmacological treatment of dementia. Challenges in implementation, along with a lack of strategies to sustain engagement and motivation, have limited integrated programs in Korea. This study developed an integrated program using gamification strategies to improve cognition and physical strength in older people and evaluated its effectiveness. The study was conducted for 8 weeks in the form of stepping training using the Stroop effect on 24 adults aged 65 years or older. With this intervention, cognitive function significantly increased (p = 0.007); in particular, memory (p = 0.005) and language function (p = 0.042) showed significant improvement. Physical performance also significantly improved (p = 0.001), and the reward strategy had the highest satisfaction with 4.29 points in the user satisfaction survey. Thus, an integrated program is effective in improving cognition and physical performance in aging adults, and gamification has a positive effect on increasing persistence and motivation in older people. This study can be a useful reference in developing cognitive enhancement programs.