Abstract
Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between late-life spiritual activity participation and cognitive function in older Chinese adults in Hong Kong.
Methods: Participants aged 60 years or older without clinical dementia or major psychiatric disorders were recruited. Dementia severity and global cognitive function were assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating and Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively. Cognitive performance was measured using 10-minute delayed recall, the Category Verbal Fluency Test, Visual Aural Digit Span Test, and Modified Card Sorting Test. Psychological status was assessed using the Chinese version of the Purpose in Life scale. Activities participated in were categorised into 6 domains of physical, cognitive, social, prosocial, spiritual, and recreational activities.
Results: A total of 380 participants were enrolled. Bivariate correlation showed that the composite score of cognitive function was positively correlated with aerobic exercise (r = 0.14; p = 0.01), cognitive activity (r = 0.30; p < 0.001), and spiritual activity (r = 0.16; p = 0.002). Multiple linear regression suggested that frequent participation in cognitive activity (B = 0.87, beta = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-1.25 and p < 0.001) and spiritual activity (B = 0.45, beta = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.13-0.76 and p = 0.01) were associated with better cognitive function after controlling for age and years of education.
Conclusion: Engagement in spiritual activity may benefit cognitive function in old age. Longitudinal studies are recommended to further examine the causal relationship of spiritual activity and cognitive function.
目的：本横断面研究旨在探讨香港华籍长者参与晚年灵性健康活动与认知功能的相关性。
方法：纳入无临床脑退化或精神疾病的60岁或以上长者，以临床失智评分量表和粤语版简易精神状态量表分别评估他们的脑退化重度和总体认知功能，和进行10分钟延迟回忆、口语流畅、视觉听力数字广度和改良版卡片分类测验以测试他们的认知表现，并以生命目的量表中文版评估他们的心理状态。他们参与的活动涵盖6个範畴，包括体力、认知、社会、利社会、灵性健康和文娱活动。
结果：研究纳入了380名参与者。二变量相关分析显示，认知功能综合评分与有氧运动（r = 0.14；p = 0.01）、认知活动（r = 0.30；p < 0.001）和灵性健康活动呈正相关（r = 0.16； p = 0 . 0 0 2 ） 。 多 元 线 性 回 归 分 析 则 显 示 ， 在 年 龄 和 教 育 因 素 控 制 下 ， 频 繁 参 与 认 知 活 动 （B = 0.87，β = 0.22；95%置信区间 = 0.52-1.25，p < 0.001）和灵性健康活动（B = 0.45，β = 0.11，95%置信区间 = 0.13-0.76，p = 0.01）有助改善认知功能。
结论：参与灵性健康活动或有利改善老年认知功能，建议进一步纵向研究灵性健康活动和认知功能的因果关係。
Methods: Participants aged 60 years or older without clinical dementia or major psychiatric disorders were recruited. Dementia severity and global cognitive function were assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating and Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively. Cognitive performance was measured using 10-minute delayed recall, the Category Verbal Fluency Test, Visual Aural Digit Span Test, and Modified Card Sorting Test. Psychological status was assessed using the Chinese version of the Purpose in Life scale. Activities participated in were categorised into 6 domains of physical, cognitive, social, prosocial, spiritual, and recreational activities.
Results: A total of 380 participants were enrolled. Bivariate correlation showed that the composite score of cognitive function was positively correlated with aerobic exercise (r = 0.14; p = 0.01), cognitive activity (r = 0.30; p < 0.001), and spiritual activity (r = 0.16; p = 0.002). Multiple linear regression suggested that frequent participation in cognitive activity (B = 0.87, beta = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-1.25 and p < 0.001) and spiritual activity (B = 0.45, beta = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.13-0.76 and p = 0.01) were associated with better cognitive function after controlling for age and years of education.
Conclusion: Engagement in spiritual activity may benefit cognitive function in old age. Longitudinal studies are recommended to further examine the causal relationship of spiritual activity and cognitive function.
目的：本横断面研究旨在探讨香港华籍长者参与晚年灵性健康活动与认知功能的相关性。
方法：纳入无临床脑退化或精神疾病的60岁或以上长者，以临床失智评分量表和粤语版简易精神状态量表分别评估他们的脑退化重度和总体认知功能，和进行10分钟延迟回忆、口语流畅、视觉听力数字广度和改良版卡片分类测验以测试他们的认知表现，并以生命目的量表中文版评估他们的心理状态。他们参与的活动涵盖6个範畴，包括体力、认知、社会、利社会、灵性健康和文娱活动。
结果：研究纳入了380名参与者。二变量相关分析显示，认知功能综合评分与有氧运动（r = 0.14；p = 0.01）、认知活动（r = 0.30；p < 0.001）和灵性健康活动呈正相关（r = 0.16； p = 0 . 0 0 2 ） 。 多 元 线 性 回 归 分 析 则 显 示 ， 在 年 龄 和 教 育 因 素 控 制 下 ， 频 繁 参 与 认 知 活 动 （B = 0.87，β = 0.22；95%置信区间 = 0.52-1.25，p < 0.001）和灵性健康活动（B = 0.45，β = 0.11，95%置信区间 = 0.13-0.76，p = 0.01）有助改善认知功能。
结论：参与灵性健康活动或有利改善老年认知功能，建议进一步纵向研究灵性健康活动和认知功能的因果关係。
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 102-107 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | East Asian Archives of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2013 |
User-Defined Keywords
- Aged
- Cognition
- Life style
- Spirituality
- 长者
- 认知
- 生活方式
- 灵性