Leisure activities, such as reading a book, doing yoga and spending time with family and friends, may help reduce the risk of dementia, according to a new meta-analysis published in the August 10, 2022 online issue. Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The meta-analysis reviewed the available studies on the effects of cognitive activities, physical activities and social activities and the risk of dementia.
“Previous studies have shown that leisure activities are associated with various health benefits, such as lower cancer risk, reduced atrial fibrillation, and a person’s perception of their own well-being” , said study author Lin Lu, PhD, of Beijing. Beijing Sixth University Hospital, China. “However, there is conflicting evidence for the role of leisure activities in preventing dementia. Our research found that leisure activities such as crafts, sports or volunteering were linked to a reduced risk of dementia. »
The meta-analysis involved a review of 38 studies from around the world involving a total of more than 2 million people who did not have dementia. Participants were followed for at least three years.
Participants provided information regarding their leisure activities through questionnaires or interviews. Leisure activities have been defined as those in which people engage for pleasure or well-being and have been divided into mental, physical and social activities.
During the studies, 74,700 people developed dementia.
After adjusting for factors such as age, gender and education, the researchers found that leisure activities were linked overall to a reduced risk of dementia. Those who engage in leisure activities have a 17% lower risk of developing dementia than those who do not engage in leisure activities.
Mental activity consisted primarily of intellectual pursuits and included reading or writing for pleasure, watching television, listening to the radio, playing games or musical instruments, using a computer, and doing crafts . Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 23% lower risk of dementia.
Physical activities included walking, running, swimming, cycling, using exercise equipment, playing sports, yoga, and dancing. Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 17% lower risk of dementia.
Social activities primarily referred to activities that involved communication with others and included attending a class, joining a social club, volunteering, visiting relatives or friends, or participating in religious activities . Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 7% lower risk of dementia.
“This meta-analysis suggests that being active has benefits, and there are many activities that are easy to incorporate into daily life that can benefit the brain,” Lu said. may reduce the risk of dementia. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and longer follow-up time to reveal more links between leisure activities and dementia. »
A limitation of the study was that people reported their own physical and mental activity, so they may not remember and report the activities correctly.
The study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Association for Science and Technology and the PKU-Baidu Fund.
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Materials provided by American Academy of Neurology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
