Key Takeaways
What is Post-Operative Delirium
Memory Decline Steeper Than Dementia
Even more alarming, while post-operative delirium was once considered a temporary condition, doctors now believe that in moderate to severe cases memory loss is long-term and can be worse than the memory loss that’s suffered with dementia. "The declines in cognition may be both substantial and long-term and most notably exceed the rate of decline observed for patients with dementia," wrote another Harvard Medical School doctor in the Journal Alzheimer’s Disease.2The Secret of Neurobics
Researchers enrolled 251 patients aged between 63 and 71 who were about to undergo major surgery with general anesthesia and expected a hospital stay of at least three days. Half were given a tablet loaded with a brain games app that provided activities targeting memory, speed, attention-span and problem-solving functions. Researchers asked the patients to use the app for an hour a day in the days leading up to the operation. The other half acted as controls.3 The brain games group, who on average completed about 4.5 hours of "neurobics" activities, enjoyed more than a 40 percent reduction in delirium compared to the control group. Those who played between five and ten hours had their risk cut in half, and the patients who performed exercises for more than ten hours saw a 61 percent reduction in risk.Summary
Post-operative delirium is a serious condition affecting up to 50% of seniors following surgery, leading to prolonged hospital stays, cognitive decline, and even increased mortality risk. However, a new study from Ohio State College of Medicine found that engaging in brain games for just one hour daily before surgery can reduce the risk of delirium by more than 60%. Activities that challenge memory, attention, and problem-solving skills help “prepare the brain for surgery” by keeping it active, leading to faster, safer recoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is post-operative delirium?
It’s a condition involving confusion, cognitive decline, and awareness issues following surgery, especially common among seniors.How can brain games reduce the risk of delirium?
Brain games stimulate cognitive functions, enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving, which helps prepare the brain for surgery and reduces the risk of delirium.How effective is mental exercise in preventing delirium?
A study showed a 61% reduction in delirium risk for patients who engaged in brain games for over 10 hours before surgery.What types of activities are beneficial for the brain before surgery?
Activities like brain games, crossword puzzles, reading, and problem-solving exercises are all beneficial.Are there alternative methods to reduce post-operative delirium?
Programs like the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) also help prevent delirium through a range of therapies, but brain games provide a simpler, self-directed option.- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120864/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5714669/
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2772853
- http://osuwmc.multimedia-newsroom.com/index.php/2020/11/11/study-playing-brain-games- before-surgery-helps-improve-recovery/