Occupational self-direction and its role as a buffering factor of cognitive performance in old age, preliminary results.

FELDBERG, C.; STEFANI, D.; SOMALE, V.; TARTAGLINI, M.F.; HERMIDA, P.D.; ITURRI, M.; BARTOLONI, L.; SERRANO, C.; CAMPOS, J.; ALLEGRI, R.

Londres

Congreso; Alzheimer´s Association International Conference; 2017

Alzheimer´s Association

Background: Cognitive reserve is the ability to optimize performance through differential recruitment of brain networks, which may reflect the use of alternative cognitive strategies. Work is one of the most important sources of cognitive stimulation during adulthood. In the framework of cognitive reserve, the aim of the current research is to assess the possible relationship between Occupational Self-direction (conformed by three dimensions: Occupational Complexity, Dependency-Independence and Routine- Novelty) and cognitive performance, in a group of healthy . . Method: This was a restrospective correlation cross sectional study of 50 healthy older adults 71,51 years (ds=8.92). Instruments: The Questionnaire of Social Demographic Data (built ad hoc), the Questionnaire on Agency of Labor Activity (CAAL, according to its acronym in Spanish) and a neuropsychological battery of tests that assessed: Memory Attention, Language, Executive functions and Visuoconstruction.Results: Results reveal: A positive association of Complexity with Data and with People, with Verbal abilities (Vocabulary WAIS III :r = .40, p