COGNITIVE STIMULATION THROUGH TELENEUROPSYCHOLOGY IN OLDER ADULTS AT RISK OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

The population of older adults is growing exponentially due to changes in population structure. This increase leads to a higher prevalence of the risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which affects basic cognitive functions, such as processing speed and executive functions, compared to healthy aging. The study aimed to assess the impact of cognitive stimulation through teleneuropsychology on the preservation or maintenance of key cognitive domains, including attention, visual perception, processing speed, episodic memory, and executive functions such as working memory and inhibition in older adults at risk of MCI. The sample included 23 older adults, divided into an intervention group (n=12) and a waiting list group (n=11), selected using the MOCA and GDS-15 instruments. The initial assessment was conducted with the COGNISTAT, specific subtests of the WMS III, and the Five-Digit Test, followed by a cognitive stimulation through teleneuropsychology program and a subsequent evaluation using the same instruments. The results showed that adults who received cognitive stimulation experienced less functional decline and even improvements in certain areas compared to the waiting list group and their own initial evaluations, demonstrating cognitive stability or improvements for those who received stimulation.