A recent study has revealed that elderly individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have a 30% increased chance of regaining their typical cognitive function if they maintain a positive perspective on aging. This optimistic attitude could even expedite their recovery process by as much as two years, compared to their counterparts with negative beliefs about aging.
The study, conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, focused on older adults experiencing MCI, a common form of memory loss. Researchers observed that these individuals, when ingrained with positive beliefs about aging from their cultural upbringing, were more likely to recover their cognitive abilities, in contrast to those with a negative perception of aging.
Moreover, it was found that an optimistic perspective on aging allowed the participants to regain their cognitive health up to two years earlier than those with a pessimistic outlook. Interestingly, this advantage was noted regardless of the initial severity of the participants’ MCI.
“Many people believe that MCI is irreversible, but half of those affected actually recover. There’s still much we don’t understand about why some people recover while others don’t. That’s why we focused on the potential impact of positive age beliefs,” said Becca Levy, professor of public health and psychology and the study’s lead author.
Levy theorized that a positive attitude towards aging could significantly contribute to cognitive recovery. This hypothesis stems from her prior experimental work with older individuals, where she found that an optimistic view of aging reduced stress related to cognitive difficulties, increased self-confidence in cognitive abilities, and overall improved cognitive performance.
This research represents the first concrete evidence that cultural influences, like positive age beliefs, can contribute to recovery from MCI. The findings were published in the JAMA Network Open. Martin Slade, a biostatistician and internal medicine lecturer at Yale, served as co-author of the study.
Participants in the study who began with normal cognitive function and a positive belief about aging were less likely to develop MCI over the subsequent 12 years than those with negative attitudes about aging, irrespective of their initial age and physical health status.
Funding for this research was provided by the National Institute on Aging. The study involved 1,716 participants aged 65 and older, all of whom were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a national longitudinal research project.
“Our earlier work has shown that we can alter age beliefs. As such, implementing interventions that modify age beliefs at both the individual and societal levels could boost the number of people achieving cognitive recovery,” Levy concluded.
Reference: “Role of Positive Age Beliefs in Recovery From Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Older Persons” by Becca R. Levy and Martin D. Slade, 12 April 2023, JAMA Network Open.
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.7707
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Positive Aging Attitudes
What is the main finding of the Yale study?
The Yale study found that older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are 30% more likely to regain normal cognitive function if they maintain positive attitudes about aging. Such optimism can even speed up their cognitive recovery by up to two years.
Who conducted the research and who were the participants?
The research was conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, with Becca Levy and Martin Slade as the main authors of the study. The participants were 1,716 individuals aged 65 and older, suffering from mild cognitive impairment. They were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a national longitudinal study.
Is the belief about aging significant in recovery from MCI?
Yes, according to the study, having positive beliefs about aging, ingrained from cultural backgrounds, is linked to a higher probability of recovering from MCI. The optimistic outlook towards aging helps individuals recover cognitive abilities faster.
Can the onset of MCI be influenced by attitudes towards aging?
Yes, the study found that older individuals who started with normal cognition and had positive beliefs about aging were less likely to develop MCI over the next 12 years compared to those with negative attitudes about aging.
Are interventions possible to alter age beliefs and aid cognitive recovery?
Yes, according to the lead author of the study, Becca Levy, previous research has shown that age beliefs can be modified. Therefore, interventions that focus on changing age beliefs at both individual and societal levels could potentially increase the number of people experiencing cognitive recovery.
More about Positive Aging Attitudes
- Yale School of Public Health
- JAMA Network Open
- National Institute on Aging
- Health and Retirement Study
4 comments
Thats amazing. Who’d have thought your attitude towards aging could actually help recovery from memory loss. Hats off to the Yale team. These findings could be a game-changer!
Interesting findings! Shows just how powerful our mindset can be in health. I think we should all try to stay positive, esp as we get older.
As a retired person with a few ‘senior moments’, I find this study to be very encouraging. it’s a different perspective to look at aging in a positive way and it seems it could even help us mentally. good job yale!
Not just good news but also a reminder to us all about the power of positivity, regardless of our age! However, still think its important to maintain good physical health as well.