Creativity, leisure activities, social engagement and cognitive impairment: the AGES-Reykjavík study

Background: Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia. Aims: We examined whether leisure activities (cognitive solitary, cognitive group, social, physical, or creative activities) and social involvement are associated with less incidence of CI or dementia. Methods: Analyses were performed from data of 2933 cognitively intact individuals at baseline included in the AGES-REYKJAVIK study. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for incident CI and dementia in relation to cognitive individual, cognitive group, social, physical, and creative leisure activities as well as social networks. Models were adjusted for a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. Results: In 5 years, 12% of the cohort were diagnosed with CI or dementia. All leisure activities were associated with reduced likelihood of cognitive decline in the raw model, but in adjusted models, cognitive solitary [OR 0.49 (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.38–0.64)], cognitive group [OR 0.50 (CI 0.30–0.82)], and creative activities [OR 0.53 (CI 0.35–0.83)] were significantly associated with less cognitive decline. Analyses examining creative leisure activities independently, controlling for all other activities, suggested individuals participating in creative activities exhibited less CI [OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.98)]. Among social networks variables, frequency of meeting with friends and relatives was associated with reduced likelihood of CI [OR 0.49 (CI 0.31–0.75)]. Discussion: Cognitive and creative leisure activities and frequent gatherings with friends and relatives are associated with reduced incidence of CI in this older cohort. Conclusion: Creative leisure activities might have special benefit for cognitive ability.