Browsing by Author "Yu, Doris S.F."

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    Can visual art therapy be implemented with illiterate older adults with mild cognitive impairment? A pilot mixed-method randomized controlled trial
    (SAGE, 2020) Masika, Golden M.; Yu, Doris S.F.; Li, Polly W. C.
    Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with no literacy are at increased risk of progression to dementia. Whether it is feasible to engage this population in visual art therapy (VAT) and yield effects on cognition and depression remained unclear. A pilot mixed-method single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with MCI. The experimental group (n = 21) was assigned to 12 sessions of VAT over 6 weeks, and the control group (n = 18) was assigned to 6 weekly health education (HE) on nonbrain health topics. Participants were evaluated at baseline using Montreal Cognitive Assessment–5-minute protocol (MoCA-5-min) and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF). A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to the experimental group to explore their experiences of participating in the VAT. Findings indicated that both VAT and HE groups had significant improvement in MoCA-5-min scores and depressed mood over time; however, the significant group × time interaction effect was noted only for the psychological outcome. Findings from the FGD indicated that participants had challenging experiences at the beginning of the therapy, but later, they were able to cope and found that the VAT was relevant and beneficial for their cognitive and psychosocial health. This pilot study provided initial evidence about the potential benefit of VAT in improving cognitive and psychological well-being of older adults with MCI and low literacy and provided insights on how to better engage them in this cognitive stimulating intervention. A full-scale trial is recommended for a stringent evaluation.
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    Integrative review of factors affecting cognitive health among older adults: perspectives on focus for prevention of dementia in developing countries
    (ELSEVIER, 2018) Masika, Golden Mwakibo; Yu, Doris S.F.
    Background: Cognitive impairment is a prominent public health issue among older adults. Different factors are believed to be associated with different stages of cognitive impairment. Knowledge of these factors are important in programming for preventive measures and to reduce worsening of impairment to more debilitating states. The aim of this integrative review and meta-analysis was to examine the modifiable risk factors impacting at different stages of cognitive impairment trajectory and their magnitude. Methods: A systematic search of literature was conducted in 6 databases: Medline, Embase, Global Health, Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA), Co- chrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT) and CI-NAHL complete, for current studies published within 10 years by November 2017. Prospective cohort, case control and cross sectional studied were included. Results: A total of 506 items were retrieved from the databases and 57 articles met the inclu- sion criteria for this review. Six groups of modifiable factors were identified including: vascular factors, co-morbidity and medical interventions, biological and nutritional factors, genetic and environmental interaction, psychological factors, life style factors and social factors. Vascular factors, particularly history of stroke presented the highest risk of dementia compared to the rest of other exposures, with odd ratios (OR) of ¼3.80 [95%CI, 1.92, 7.51]), and MCI (OR ¼1.82 [95% CI, 1.57, 2.11]), while engaging in physical activity at least 2 or more times per week was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (OR¼0.67 [95%CI, 0.48, 0.93]). Conclusions: Despite of some of vascular factors identified in this review are clinical conditions by themselves, their preventive measures are available in the developing countries. Culturally sensitive interventions focusing on vascular factors, as well as nutritional and life style factors may have dual positive effects in preventing both vascular condition and cognitive decline among elderly.