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Richard James Havis

Research has shown that social interactions, such as simply talking to friends and family members, can moderate the effects of dementia.
Now, new findings indicate that such interactions do not have to take place in person – the chats are effective if they are conducted on Zoom, too.
In a study involving subjects who were 75 years and older, participants who took part in four 30-minute Zoom calls a week saw a boost in their cognitive reserve – resistance to damage of the brain – improving the brain’s ability to deal with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Boosting cognitive reserve does not prevent or cure dementia – it increases the brain’s capabilities to deal with it by improving its connectivity.
Want to be happier and boost brain health? Then talk to people
“Social connections can be protective against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through cognitive stimulation which improve cognitive reserve,” says professor Hiroko Dodge, now director of research analytics at the Interdisciplinary Brain Centre at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, both in Boston in the US state of Massachusetts, who led the study.
“Our brain is made of a web of networks and thus the more well-connected the brain is, the better it can function despite some parts being disrupted. Cognitive stimulation can improve the connectivity,” she says.
“Cognitive reserve works like a computer network – one part of the brain does not function well, but other parts might compensate for the impaired functions. The better this network connectivity, the more resilient we are against pathological occurrences.”

This means we can sustain normal functions longer, even if we have problems such as plaque build-up, which occurs between nerve cells in the brain and is linked to steeper memory decline.
The study took place as part of a project called I-Conect – short for Internet-based Conversational-Engagement Clinical Trial – which focuses on elderly people. Although this group is the most at risk from dementia, its members are rarely asked to take part in studies.

An experimental group was given simple electronic tablets to use, and received four 30-minute Zoom calls each week for six months, and then two 30-minute Zoom calls weekly for a further six months. They also received a 10-minute check-in phone call each week to monitor their social activities, health and mood.
A control group received only the weekly 10-minute check-in calls. Those who received the Zoom calls had a boost in their cognitive reserve over the year, while that of the control group declined.
“We found that the experimental group had better cognitive test scores in comparison with the control group,” says Dodge. “The former also showed better functional connectivity in a certain part of the brain, and also speech complexity showed higher scores, meaning that they can generate more complex sentences after the experiment.”
Alzheimer’s disease: how to mitigate risk factors in common form of dementia
Although only the Zoom group showed improvements in cognitive ability, both groups improved their scores in social satisfaction, an area that relates to emotional well-being.
The study focused on those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which Dodge describes as an early stage of loss of memory or other cognitive ability in individuals who are still able to independently perform most daily living activities. About 15 to 50 per cent of people diagnosed with MCI can later progress to dementia.
Although it is known that in-person social interactions improve cognitive reserve, Dodge’s study showed that online interaction is also effective. She believes that Zoom is useful because it shows peoples’ faces.

“Seeing a face makes a difference. Face-to-face communication is important, as we are using the visual cues. It’s more stimulating,” she says.
But more research is needed to draw a distinction between the effects of in-person and online conversations.
“That is what I want to find out in the next trial,” Dodge says. “Many people think that in-person interaction is better. But if you use a high-resolution big screen, that almost gives you an in-person experience.”

Some older people are not familiar with using digital technology, and may have problems using a tablet because of conditions like ailing sight. Gerontechnologists – those combining elderly services and innovative technology – must look at developing such technology on a wider scale to enable older people to connect digitally, she says.
“The device has to be user-friendly. In our model, only one touch on the screen is needed to start conversations,” says Dodge.
“There are a few commercially available devices, but they can be expensive … it’s important to develop less expensive and user-friendly devices and disseminate them widely to isolated subjects to reduce social isolation and improve cognitive functions for the population at large.”
Because her trial ended after a year, Dodge says she does not know if the beneficial results continue after the cognitive stimulation stops.
But many of the participants wanted to continue with the Zoom calls after the trial had finished. To this end, she has formed the I-Connect Foundation, staffed by volunteer interviewers, some of whom migrated from the original study. The foundation is now seeking donations.
For healthy ageing keep moving, stay busy and socially engaged, say experts
Dodge says that it is crucial that people understand that they can take action to moderate dementia’s effects.
“The saying ‘use it or lose it’ really applies to the brain,” she says. “Just like muscle exercise makes a muscle stronger, if you use your brain, connectivity gets stronger and more efficient, and you can improve your cognitive reserve.”
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Wellness

Why Zoom is good for your ageing brain: engaging with others – even online – helps moderate the effects of dementia, study shows

A recent study showed that regular Zoom calls helped protect the ageing brain against cognitive decline. Photo: Shutterstock

Hiroko Dodge is the director of research analytics at the Interdisciplinary Brain Centre at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in Boston. Photo: I-Connect Foundation

Plaque build-up occurs between nerve cells in the brain and is linked to steeper memory decline. Photo: Shutterstock

Using a high-resolution big screen provides an experience that is almost as good as one that is in person, researchers found. Photo: Shutterstock

Both groups – those who had Zoom calls and those who had only 10-minute weekly check-in calls – had improved scores in social satisfaction, an area which relates to emotional well-being. Photo: Shutterstock

Self-care is key to our mental well-being, says psychologist who sought counselling as a teen for anxiety, depression and an eating disorder

Psychologist Ella Tsang says receiving counselling herself as a teenager for depression and anxiety was the start of a process that has made her a better therapist. Self-care is a big factor in good mental health, she says. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Psychologist Ella Tsang has been receiving psychotherapy for depression and anxiety since she was a teenager. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Tsang has learned to live with her anxiety and depression. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Take time to sit with yourself and get comfortable with your feelings, Tsang suggests. Photo: Shutterstock

Tsang had empowering experiences with therapists who treated her as a person and worked collaboratively with her. Photo: Shutterstock

If we can acknowledge our own hurts and challenges, we are far more likely to be kind to others and help reduce the stigma around mental health. Photo: Shutterstock

Meditation, exercise, journaling, practising mental hygiene (as you do dental hygiene), mindful play – 5 experts’ tips for good mental health

Carol Liang from Mind HK has a simple message for better mental health. Photo: Mind HK

Engage in “mindful play” such as by going for a hike, says psychotherapist Nivedita Ramanujam, one of five Hong Kong experts the Post asked for advice on how to maintain good mental health. World Mental Health Day 2022 falls on October 10. Photo:  Shutterstock 

The average time a Hong Kong government psychiatrist has to spend with a patient is between five and seven minutes. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Vanessa Wong recommends doing things that make us laugh out loud, and separating our work and home lives. 

Minal Mahtani tells us to be aware of our inner critic as it can overload us with self-criticism. 

Nivedita Ramanujam recommends entering a state of “creativity, energised focus and contentment” by hiking or painting. Photo: Nivedita Ramanujam

Carol Liang from Mind HK says we need to talk about mental health to remove the stigma surrounding it. Photo: Mind HK

Dr Brent Horner says we should always try to talk to someone and not worry about admitting to getting professional help. Photo: courtesy Dr Brent Horner

Until Alzheimer’s disease has a cure – dementia experts are optimistic that will be soon – mitigating risk factors is key

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of all dementia in people over the age of 60. Photo: Shutterstock

Professor Nancy Ip is a neuroscientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology who says new findings are deepening our understanding of Alzheimer’s and revealing promising drug targets for development. Photo: Nancy Ip

Dr Bosco Ma says Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of all dementia in people over 60. Photo: Dr Bosco Ma

Experts advise against arguing with someone who has Alzheimer’s. Photo: Shutterstock

A healthy brain compared to a brain with Alzheimer’s disease. Illustration: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Family & Relationships

Participants 75 and older who took part in weekly Zoom calls showed improved brain connectivity, which shields against cognitive impairment
‘The saying ‘use it or lose it’ really applies to the brain,’ says lead researcher Hiroko Dodge, who says online interaction helps strengthen the brain’s network


A recent study showed that isolated elderly people who took part in multiple Zoom calls each week received a boost in their cognitive reserve, which may delay effects of dementia.
