Chinese Calligraphy Writing for Augmenting Attentional Control and Working Memory of Older Adults at Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chan, Sam C.C.^{a; b} | Chan, Chetwyn C.H.^{a; b; *} | Derbie, Abiot Y.^{a; b} | Hui, Irene^{a; b} | Tan, Davynn G.H.^{a; b} | Pang, Marco Y.C.^b | Lau, Stephen C.L.^{a; b} | Fong, Kenneth N.K.^b

Affiliations: [a] Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Chetwyn C.H. Chan, PhD, Chair Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 2766 6727; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Background: Nonpharmacological intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) needs further investigation. Objective: Test efficacy of an eight-week Chinese calligraphy writing training course in improving attentional control and working memory. Methods: Ninety-nine participants with MCI were randomized into the eight-week calligraphy writing (n = 48) or control (tablet computer) training (n = 51). Outcomes of the interventions were attentional control, working memory, visual scan and processing speed. They were measured at baseline, post-training, and six-month follow-up. Results: Calligraphy writing, when compared with control, significantly improved working memory as reflected from DST-Backward sequence (p = 0.009) and span scores (p = 0.002), and divided attention as reflected from CTT2 (p < 0.001), and at the post-training. The unique improvement in working memory (span: p < 0.001; sequence: p = 0.008) of the intervention group was also found at follow-up when comparing with those at baseline. Changes in the other outcome measures were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings provide support that Chinese calligraphy writing training for eight weeks using a cognitive approach would improve working memory and to a lesser extent attentional control functions of patients with early MCI. They also demonstrate the usefulness of using mind-and-body practice for improving specific cognitive functions.

Keywords: Attention, Chinese calligraphy, mild cognitive impairment, randomized controlled trial, working memory

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170024

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 735-746, 2017