Pilot study of executive functions in elderly adults in care homes

Abstract

This current study aims to show, through a qualitative and quantitative study, that psychomotor stimulation through body percussion using the BAPNE Method can not only improve the skills and abilities of elderly adults and their emotional abilities and behaviours, but it can also improve their cognitive ability. We have based this investigation on a research protocol involving a total of N=48 subjects divided between an experimental group and a control group of care homes of similar characteristics in Seville belonging to the Vitalia Foundation. The intervention was completed using a neuromotricity programme by means of the BAPNE Method. Proven activities which were adapted to the aim of the investigation were used with the experimental group for 12 weeks, on Mondays and Fridays, with each session lasting a maximum of 60 minutes. However, the control group carried on with its usual activities and routines and did not experience any change to their cognitive development. The evaluation tools used were the FCRST Test to assess verbal memory and the P Test to measure phonological fluency. Following analysis of the results obtained, we can conclude that in the post-test phase of the experimental group there are significant results in terms of the assessed variables in terms of improvement of their executive functions and cognitive abilities.