Video calls improved cognition in older people at risk of Alzheimer’s

For socially isolated older people with mild cognitive impairment, 30-minute video calls four times a week improved cognition, happiness and brain connectivity

By Grace Wade

Chatting with someone over video call for 30 minutes, four times a week improves cognition in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can be a precursor to dementia.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes problems with memory, attention or other aspects of cognition and people with MCI are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no approved treatment or medication for people with MCI, but previous research has suggested that social interactions may protect cognition.

“I thought …