Occupational complexity and cognition in the FINGER multidomain intervention trial
Anders Rydström, Alexander Darin‐Mattsson, Ingemar Kåreholt, Tiia Ngandu, Jenni Lehtisalo, Alina Solomon, Riitta Antikaínen, Lars Bäckman, Tuomo Hänninen, Tiina Laatikainen, Esko Levälahti, Jaana Lindström, Teemu Paajanen, Satu Havulinna, Markku Peltonen, Shireen Sindi, Hilkka Soininen, Anna Stigsdotter Neely, Timo Strandberg, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Miia Kivipelto, Francesca Mangialasche
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lifetime exposure to occupational complexity is linked to late-life cognition, and may affect benefits of preventive interventions. METHODS: In the 2-year multidomain Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), we investigated, through post hoc analyses (N = 1026), the association of occupational complexity with cognition. Occupational complexity with data, people, and substantive complexity were classified through the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. RESULTS: Higher levels of occupational complexity were associated with better baseline cognition. Measures of occupational complexity had no association with intervention effects on cognition, except for occupational complexity with data, which was associated with the degree of intervention-related gains for executive function. DISCUSSION: In older adults at increased risk for dementia, higher occupational complexity is associated with better cognition. The cognitive benefit of the FINGER intervention did not vary significantly among participants with different levels of occupational complexity. These exploratory findings require further testing in larger studies.