Pandemic times: Perception of online cognitive stimulation groups in in older adults with cognitive complaints

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Abstract Background Cognitive reserve is a factor that can modify the clinical expression of different degenerative diseases (Stern, 2012). Some studies have shown that the older who engage in mental activities have a better overall functioning (Aguirre et al., 2013). The Institute of Neurosciences of the Favaloro Foundation offers 6 hours weekly cognitive stimulation groups to patients with cognitive complaints. In Argentina, due to lock down to decrease SARS‐COV 2 infection, the cognitive stimulation groups began to be offered online. The aim of this study is to analyze how our patients perceive the impact of the isolation after 9 months of online cognitive stimulation workshops. Method 85 patients with mild executive‐attentional impairments, between 47 and 85 years old, answer a satisfaction questionnaire after attending 9 months to an online cognitive stimulation group. In these groups, patients connected twice a week through the virtual platform Google Meet. After this time, the patients were asked to answer a self‐administered questionnaire, prepared ad hoc. The satisfaction questionnaire consisted of a series of questions about the perceived changes in cognitive performance, emphasizing how they helped to cope with isolation. The study is a descriptive statistical analysis. Result 72.9% of the participants reported being satisfied with online cognitive stimulation, with 77.6% believing that it was highly effective. 85.9% indicated that the isolation became more bearable thanks to the assistance. Regarding the perception of performance, 36.5% reported that their performance is better than before, while 33% register stability in their cognitive ability. Conclusion the patients perceived that online cognitive stimulation allowed positive changes in cognitive performance, making isolation more bearable. In this way, we can conclude that the isolation forced us to develop new strategies and activities of rehabilitation that are likely to continue to be used in the future.

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