Cognitive function and health in older adults

Sutton, Emma (2024). Cognitive function and health in older adults. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Ageing is characterised by changes to many aspects of health, such as cognition, mental wellbeing, physical functioning, and serological markers of health. A background to relevant ageing literature is detailed in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 was an amendment to the original research plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional findings suggest that during the pandemic, older adults that worried about their cognitive health also reported poorer mental and physical wellbeing. A person-centred approach (latent profile analysis) in Chapter 3 established characteristics of individuals based on physical, mental, and serological markers of health. Results suggest that good physical functioning is not always associated with good mental wellbeing, and it is therefore important to not just look at individual health markers but to build a profile of overall health for more detailed information. Chapter 4 used a rigorously designed randomised controlled intervention to assess the benefits of a commercially available brain training programme. Results report no transferable cognitive benefits in healthy older adults. Finally, Chapter 5 summarises key findings from each empirical chapter and discusses further implications. Overall, the findings from this thesis demonstrate that there is a complex relationship between cognitive function and health in older adults, and that it is important to consider multiple aspects of health when assessing healthspan.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):