Differential effects of enriched environment at work on cognitive decline in old age
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Differential effects of enriched environment at work on cognitive decline in old age. / Then, Francisca S; Luck, Tobias; Luppa, Melanie; König, Hans-Helmut; Angermeyer, Matthias C; Riedel-Heller, Steffi G.
In: NEUROLOGY, Vol. 84, No. 21, 26.05.2015, p. 2169-76.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Differential effects of enriched environment at work on cognitive decline in old age
AU - Then, Francisca S
AU - Luck, Tobias
AU - Luppa, Melanie
AU - König, Hans-Helmut
AU - Angermeyer, Matthias C
AU - Riedel-Heller, Steffi G
N1 - © 2015 American Academy of Neurology.
PY - 2015/5/26
Y1 - 2015/5/26
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate how different mentally demanding work conditions during the professional life-i.e., enriched environments at work-might influence the rate of cognitive decline in old age.METHODS: Individuals (n = 1,054) of the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged, a representative population-based cohort study of individuals aged 75 years and older, underwent cognitive testing via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in up to 6 measurement waves. Type and level of mentally demanding work conditions in the participants' former professional life were classified based on the O*NET job descriptor database.RESULTS: In multivariate mixed-model analyses (controlling for sociodemographic and health-related factors), a high level of mentally demanding work tasks stimulating verbal intelligence was significantly associated with a better cognitive functioning at baseline (on average 5 MMSE points higher) as well as a lower rate of cognitive decline (on average 2 MMSE points less) over the 8-year follow-up period compared with a low level. The rate of cognitive decline in old age was also significantly lower (on average 3 MMSE points less) in individuals who had a high level of mentally demanding work tasks stimulating executive functions than those who had a low level.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a professional life enriched with work tasks stimulating verbal intelligence and executive functions may help to sustain a good cognitive functioning in old age (75+ years). The findings thus emphasize that today's challenging work conditions may also promote positive health effects.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate how different mentally demanding work conditions during the professional life-i.e., enriched environments at work-might influence the rate of cognitive decline in old age.METHODS: Individuals (n = 1,054) of the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged, a representative population-based cohort study of individuals aged 75 years and older, underwent cognitive testing via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in up to 6 measurement waves. Type and level of mentally demanding work conditions in the participants' former professional life were classified based on the O*NET job descriptor database.RESULTS: In multivariate mixed-model analyses (controlling for sociodemographic and health-related factors), a high level of mentally demanding work tasks stimulating verbal intelligence was significantly associated with a better cognitive functioning at baseline (on average 5 MMSE points higher) as well as a lower rate of cognitive decline (on average 2 MMSE points less) over the 8-year follow-up period compared with a low level. The rate of cognitive decline in old age was also significantly lower (on average 3 MMSE points less) in individuals who had a high level of mentally demanding work tasks stimulating executive functions than those who had a low level.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a professional life enriched with work tasks stimulating verbal intelligence and executive functions may help to sustain a good cognitive functioning in old age (75+ years). The findings thus emphasize that today's challenging work conditions may also promote positive health effects.
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Cognition Disorders
KW - Disease Progression
KW - Executive Function
KW - Female
KW - Germany
KW - Humans
KW - Intelligence
KW - Longitudinal Studies
KW - Male
KW - Occupations
KW - Social Environment
KW - Work
U2 - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001605
DO - 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001605
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 25925981
VL - 84
SP - 2169
EP - 2176
JO - NEUROLOGY
JF - NEUROLOGY
SN - 0028-3878
IS - 21
ER -