Linguistic Strategies in Health Behavior Promotion Programs: Enhancing Cognitive Abilities in Elderly Participants

Authors

  • Chalit Chaowilai

    Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Pathumthani 12110, Thailand

  • Issara Siramaneerat

    Department of Social Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Pathumthani 12110, Thailand

  • Pongsakorn Sunthrayuth

    Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Pathumthani, 12110, Thailand

  • Putthiwat Singhdong

    Department of International Business and Logistics, Faculty of Business Administration Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Pathumthani, 12110, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10433
Received: 10 June 2025 | Revised: 20 June 2025 | Accepted: 24 June 2025 | Published Online: 30 July 2025

Abstract

Cognitive decline is a prevalent issue among elderly individuals, affecting memory, comprehension, and problem-solving abilities. Effective interventions that integrate linguistic strategies are essential in promoting cognitive resilience and overall well-being. This study evaluated the impact of language-based health behavior promotion programs on enhancing cognitive performance among elderly participants. A quasi-experimental design was employed with 60 elderly participants divided into an experimental and control group. The experimental group participated in a structured program that utilized specific linguistic strategies and cognitive training exercises to promote cognitive health. The control group continued their usual activities without linguistic interventions. The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in all cognitive domains, including a 4.4-point increase in MoCA scores (t = 6.18, p < 0.01). Participants showed notable improvements in memory, comprehension, and problem-solving, with linguistic strategies enhancing their ability to process and retain information. The findings emphasize the effectiveness of incorporating linguistic strategies into multi-domain health behavior promotion programs.

Keywords:

Linguistic Strategies; Cognitive Performance; Health Behavior Promotion; Elderly; Communication Techniques; Cognitive Training

References

[1] Turnbull, A., Seitz, A., Tadin, D., et al., 2022. Unifying framework for cognitive training interventions in brain aging. Ageing Research Reviews. 81, 101724. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101724

[2] Vargek, P., Bakračevič, K., Mrla, J., 2024. Effects of cognitive training interventions on the cognitive and everyday functioning of older adults – systematic overview of meta-analyses. Psihološka obzorja. 33, 594. DOI: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.20419/2024.33.594

[3] Lima da Silva, T., Bratkauskas, J.S., Castro Barbosa, M.E., 2022. Long-term studies in cognitive training for older adults: a systematic review. Dementia & Neuropsychologia. 16, 135–152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2021-0064

[4] Nguyen, L., Murphy, K., Andrews, G., 2024. Design and development of a gamified cognitive training program targeting executive functions for older adults. Entertainment Computing. 52, 100892. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2024.100892

[5] Bruno, J.L., Shaw, J.S., Hosseini, S.M.H., 2023. Toward personalized cognitive training in older adults: A pilot investigation of the effects of baseline performance and age on cognitive training outcomes. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, JAD. 1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-230619

[6] Lafortune, L., Brayne, C., 2017. Dementia: Dementia prevention - a call for contextualized evidence. Nature reviews. Neurology. 13(10), 579–580. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.136

[7] Cohen, J., 1988. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd ed. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Hillsdale, MI, USA.

[8] Yun, S., Ryu, S., 2022. The effects of cognitive training on older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Iranian Journal of Public Health. 51(1), 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i1.8286

[9] Funghi, G., Meli, C., Cavagna, A., 2024. The Social and Cognitive Online Training (SCOT) project: A digital randomized controlled trial to promote socio-cognitive well-being in older adults. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 122, 105405. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105405

[10] Antonenko, D., Thams, F., Uhrich, J., 2022. Randomized trial of cognitive training and brain stimulation in non‐demented older adults. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12262

[11] Lee, H.K., Basak, C., Grant, S.J., 2024. The effects of computerized cognitive training in older adults' cognitive performance and biomarkers of structural brain aging. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbae075

[12] Kioskli, K., Danassi, E., 2021. Design, method and apparatus of a computerized cognitive gamified training program targeting to maintain and improve cognitive health in older adults. In Proceedings of the 14th PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference, Corfu, Greece, 29 June–2 July 2021; pp. 315–319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3453892.3461640

[13] Calatayud, E., Subiron-Valera, A.B., Marcén-Román, Y., et al., 2023. Effects on language and verbal fluency of a cognitive stimulation program in older adults: Randomized controlled trial. Sustainability. 15(3), 2533. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032533

[14] Tsai, Y.I.-P., Beh, J., Ganderton, C., et al., 2024. Digital interventions for healthy ageing and cognitive health in older adults: A systematic review of mixed method studies and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatrics. 24, 217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04617-3

[15] Ngandu, T., Lehtisalo, J., Solomon, A., et al., 2015. A 2-year multidomain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring versus control to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk elderly people (FINGER): A randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 385(9984), 2255–2263. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60461-5

[16] Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., et al., 2020. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. 396(10248), 413–446. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6

[17] Rebok, G.W., Clay, O., Wallace, G., 2024. Testing the effects of cognitive training on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: The moderating role of social determinants of health. Innovation in Aging. 8, 669. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.2187

[18] Almeida, M.L., Glymour, M., Rodrigues, G.S., 2020. Effects of 12‐week combined cognitive training and physical activity intervention on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes of Brazilian older adults. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.045670

[19] Adelirad, F., Javadivala, Z., Dianat, I., et al., 2024. Physical and cognitive-based training in healthy older adults: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. BioSocial Health Journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34172/bshj.3

[20] Cho, J., An, D., Cho, E., et al., 2023. Efficacy of smartphone application-based multi-domain cognitive training in older adults without dementia. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1250420

[21] Gavelin, H.M., Dong, C., Minkov, R., et al., 2020. Combined physical and cognitive training for older adults with and without cognitive impairment: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ageing Research Reviews. 66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101232

[22] Biazus-Sehn, L.F., Schuch, F.B., Firth, J., et al., 2020. The effect of physical exercise on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 89, 104048. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104048

[23] Kang, J.M., Yun, S., Seo, H.E., et al., 2022. Comparison of the effect of computerized multidomain cognitive training and pen‐and‐paper educational program in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a preliminary randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.069239

[24] Yun, B.H., Kim, W., Ko, H.J., et al., 2024. Development and effectiveness of an AI chatbot-based mobile cognitive screening and customized training application for preventing dementia: Older adults living in rural areas of South Korea. Archives of Design Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15187/adr.2024.11.37.5.77

[25] Srisuwan, P., Nakawiro, D., Chansirikarnjana, S., et al., 2020. Exploring factors that contribute to joining and regularly practicing in cognitive training among healthy older adults: A one-year follow-up qualitative study. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. 7, 75-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2020.14

[26] Srisuwan, P., Nakawiro, D., Kuha, O., et al., 2025. Efficacy of a group-based 8-week multicomponent cognitive training on cognition, mood and activities of daily living among healthy older adults: A two-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. 12(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjpad.2024.100033

[27] Kunrit, P., Tanthanapanyakorn, P., Khantikulanon, N., et al., 2025. Effectiveness of a brain exercise program using game-based cognitive enhancement to reduce mild cognitive impairment among older adults in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand: A quasi-experimental study. Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives. 16(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0267

[28] Rattakorn, W., Wongpakaran, P., 2025. The effects of computer-based cognitive training on attention and working memory in Thai older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12982/jams.2025.065

[29] Griffiths, J., Thaikruea, L., Wongpakaran, N., Munkhetvit, P. (2020). Effects of combined physical movement activity and multifaceted cognitive training in older people with mild neurocognitive disorder in a rural community: A randomized control trial. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 49, 194–201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000507922

[30] Aung, T.N.N., Aung, M.N., Moolphate, S., et al., 2021. Thai Older People's Willingness (Intention) to Participate in a Care Prevention, Community Group Exercise Program: An Assessment before Implementing an Intervention Trial in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084044

Downloads

How to Cite

Chaowilai , C., Siramaneerat, I., Sunthrayuth, P., & Singhdong, P. (2025). Linguistic Strategies in Health Behavior Promotion Programs: Enhancing Cognitive Abilities in Elderly Participants. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(8), 291–301. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10433