Do you want to avoid suffering from cognitive impairment later in life? Well, then you should have a job that requires you to use your noggin more than just from time to time. According to a new study from scientists at Oslo University Hospital in Norway, if you have a job that entails thinking a lot then you will be less likely to suffer mild cognitive impairment. However, the study said nothing about preventing serious diseases that cause dementia.
The study looked at 7,000 people holding 305 different occupations in Norway but does not prove that stimulating work prevents mild cognitive impairment and only shows an association.
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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which people experience a decline in their cognitive abilities that is greater than what would be expected for their age. However, the decline is not severe enough to interfere with their daily activities.
The most common symptom of MCI is memory problems, such as forgetting appointments or conversations. People with MCI may also have difficulty with planning, organizing, reasoning, or judgment. There are many possible causes of MCI, including Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, strokes, head injuries, and medication side effects. In some cases, MCI can be caused by reversible factors, such as vitamin deficiencies or depression. There is no single test that can diagnose MCI. Doctors typically diagnose MCI based on a person’s medical history, a physical exam, and cognitive tests.
“We examined the demands of various jobs and found that cognitive stimulation at work during different stages in life—during your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s—was linked to a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment after the age of 70,” said study author Trine Holt Edwin, MD, PhD, of Oslo University Hospital in Norway. “Our findings highlight the value of having a job that requires more complex thinking as a way to possibly maintain memory and thinking in old age.”
Researchers measured the degree of cognitive stimulation that participants experienced while on the job. They measured the degree of routine manual, routine cognitive, non-routine analytical, and non-routine interpersonal tasks, which are skill sets that different jobs demand.
Routine manual tasks demand speed, control over equipment, and often involve repetitive motions, typical of factory work. Routine cognitive tasks demand precision and accuracy of repetitive tasks, such as in bookkeeping and filing.
Non-routine analytical tasks refer to activities that involve analyzing information, engaging in creative thinking and interpreting information for others. Non-routine interpersonal tasks refer to establishing and maintaining personal relationships, motivating others and coaching. Non-routine cognitive jobs include public relations and computer programming.
“These results indicate that both education and doing work that challenges your brain during your career play a crucial role in lowering the risk of cognitive impairment later in life,” Edwin said. “Further research is required to pinpoint the specific cognitively challenging occupational tasks that are most beneficial for maintaining thinking and memory skills.”
