Exploring the Neurocognitive Effects of Magic Intervention on Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

Magic, the art of conjuring, has fascinated people around the world for millennia. Magicians have mastered manipulating attention (misdirection) and exploiting the human mind to create seemingly impossible tricks and illusions. In the past few decades, neuroscientists and psychologists have researched the methods of magic and produced a significant amount of literature relating to how magicians manipulate people. With this surge of new knowledge, it is worthwhile to investigate whether magic can be used in treatments for mental disorders and diseases. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are two of the most common neurological conditions among elderly, where behavioral interventions are crucial for slowing down the progression of neurocognitive impairment. This paper analyses and proposes how magic intervention can impact neurocognitive function in patients with MCI or AD, by reviewing current literature in the related areas of magic and the science behind it. In particular, it is found that magic intervention can positively affect executive functioning, learning, and memory in individuals with MCI and AD. Furthermore, emerging areas of research in the field indicate that magic intervention may promote curiosity and engage sensory systems, further improving neurocognitive function in these individuals. Therefore, the paper shows that magic intervention is effective in enhancing neurocognitive function in patients with MCI and AD, and in slowing down the progression from MCI to AD.