New research suggests "use it or lose it" could be too general of a term, and that only certain activities actually improved cognitive function in seniors.
"It seems it is not enough just to get out and do something-it is important to get out and do something that is unfamiliar and mentally challenging, and that provides broad stimulation mentally and socially," psychological scientist and lead researcher Denise Park of the University of Texas at Dallas, said, an Association for Psychological Science news release reported. "When you are inside your comfort zone you may be outside of the enhancement zone."
Park and her colleagues asked 221 adults between the ages of 60 and 90 to engage in certain activities for at least 15 hours per week over the course of three months.
One group of participants were asked to practice digital photography or quilting (or both), which employ "active engagement and tapped working memory, long-term memory and other high-level cognitive processes."
The other group of participants was asked to do more familiar activities such as crossword puzzles or listening to classical music.
The team found the group that had been learning new skills such as photography had an improved memory compared with those who had not.
"The findings suggest that engagement alone is not enough," Park, said. "The three learning groups were pushed very hard to keep learning more and mastering more tasks and skills. Only the groups that were confronted with continuous and prolonged mental challenge improved."
The study stands out because the team was actually able to intervene in participants' lifestyles and even provide them with new skills and hobbies.
"Our participants essentially agreed to be assigned randomly to different lifestyles for three months so that we could compare how different social and learning environments affected the mind," says Park. "People built relationships and learned new skills - we hope these are gifts that keep on giving, and continue to be a source of engagement and stimulation even after they finished the study."
The team will continue following the participants to see if the benefits continue over the years.
