Dementia: Dr Sara on benefits of being in nature
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The burden of dementia has proven unrelenting, and there is widespread speculation that rates of disease will not be slowing anytime soon. Research to date has unveiled a plethora of risk factors for the condition, helping millions lower their risk of decline. In the latest findings, researchers have underpinned the protective effects of one daily activity against brain decline. The findings suggest just two hours of housework could keep memory sharp, thereby lowering the risk of brain decline
The recent findings, published in the journal BMJ Open, have drawn a link between housework and sharper memory, attention span, and greater protection against falls.
The randomised trial, conducted on a sample of 489 adults, quizzed the participants on the frequency and intensity of household chores they completed.
They were also assessed on other physical activities they engaged in.
“Light” household chores were defined as washing up, dusting, making the bed, hanging out washing, cooking and cleaning.
READ MORE: Dementia: One drink may age the brain by ‘11 years’ when consumed more than twice daily
“Heavy” household chores, on the other hand, included window cleaning, changing the bed, vacuuming, washing the floor and painting or decoration.
Each type of household work was measured in metabolic equivalent of task so that researchers could equate each activity to expenditure from physical activity.
Results revealed that household work was associated with sharper overall mental ability and better physical capacity.
Specifically, heavier household work was associated with a 14 percent higher attention score while light housework was associated with a 12 percent and eight percent higher short and delayed memory scores, respectively.
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