การพัฒนาโปรแกรมฝึกความจำขณะใช้งานเพื่อส่งเสริมทักษะด้านภาษาในผู้สูงอายุที่มีภาวะการรู้คิดบกพร่องเล็กน้อย

Abstract

Older adults with mild neurocognitive disorders (mild NCD) are at high risk of developing dementia. Memory problems, particularly working memory, are common in older adults and are crucial to language skills. This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a working memory program for improving language skills in older adults with mild NCD. The content validity of the program was examined by five experts and found to have a content validity index of 0.94. The study tested the effects of a working memory program on language skills in older adults with mild NCD. A total of 23 older adults participated, and they independently completed the program at home over 25-30 minutes per session, three times a week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. After the program, their language skills were evaluated by using the Thai version of the ABCD test. Language skills were assessed before and after using the program for the Thai version of the ABCD test. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test analysis revealed a significantly increased in language comprehension skills, specifically in following commands (median difference; MD = 1.00, 95% confidence interval; CI =0.39-0.65), comparative questions (MD= 1.00, 95% CI=0.22-0.99), repetition (MD= 5.00, 95% CI= 4.69-15.22), and the reading comprehension sentence subtest (MD= 0.00, 95% CI=0.27-1.80), at a statistically significant level of 0.05. However, there was no significant difference in the reading comprehension word subtest (MD= 0.00, 95% CI=-0.08-0.61) at a statistically significant level of 0.05. In terms of language expression, the program showed significant improvements in object description (MD=3.00, 95% CI=1.51-4.05), generative naming (MD=2.00, 95% CI=1.36-4.11), confrontation naming (MD=3.00, 95%CI=2.18-4.16), and concept definition (MD=14.00, 95% CI=11.03-17.39), with a statistical significance level of 0.05. In summary, when the working memory program is utilized to enhance the language abilities of older adults with mild NCD that have undergone content validity testing, adjustably improved language skills.