Taking part in art stimulates the mind as well as developing motor skills, US researchers have found
Taking part in art which stimulates the mind as well as developing motor skills, seemed to have a more protective effect that socialising, joining book clubs or using a computer.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed 256 people who were over 85 years old for four years.
The participants reported their participation in arts, such as painting, drawing and sculpting; crafts, like woodworking, pottery, ceramics, quilting, quilling and sewing; social activities, such as going to the theatre, socializing and using the Internet.
After for years more than one third had developed mild cognitive impairment which often leads to dementia.
However those who had taken part in arts were 73 per cent less likely to have suffered memory or thinking problems. Those who crafted were 45 per cent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment, while socialising lowered the risk by 55 per cent. Those who regularly used the internet or a computer reduced their risk of memory problems by 53 per cent.
"As millions of older adults are reaching the age where they may experience these memory and thinking problem called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), it is important we look to find lifestyle changes that may stave off the condition," said study author Dr Rosebud Roberts of Mayo Clinic.
"Our study supports the idea that engaging the mind may protect neurons, or the building blocks of the brain, from dying, stimulate growth of new neurons, or may help recruit new neurons to maintain cognitive activities in old age."
There are around 850,000 people currently suffering from dementia in Britain and the figure is expected to rise to one million by 2025. One in six people aged 80 and over have dementia.
Around 60,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to dementia and the Alzheimer’s Society has calculated that delaying the onset of dementia by five years would reduce deaths directly attributable to dementia by 30,000 a year.
Dr Clare Walton, Research Manager at Alzheimer’s Society, said: "Although this study looks at mild cognitive impairment rather than dementia, it does add to previous evidence that keeping your brain active during life with arts, crafts and social activities might reduce the risk of developing memory problems.
"The inclusion of computer use, such as online shopping and gaming, in this study is interesting but more research is needed to determine whether regular computer use has any long-term effects on memory."
Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study adds to previous evidence suggesting that staying mentally active as we age can help to maintain memory and thinking skills.
“While this study looked at mild cognitive impairment, a condition which can precede dementia, the researchers did not look at the benefits of arts and crafts in relation to dementia.
We do know that eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure and weight in check can all help to reduce the risk of dementia.”
The research was published in the Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
