Objectives: Population aging and cognitive impairment along with aging are more critical nowadays. To maintain cognitive function of older adults has been an important issue. The present study aimed to explore the association between reading habits and cognitive decline among older Taiwan by using a national cohort survey data.
Methods: The dataset of the Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging in 2003 and 2007 were analyzed. After excluding those who were cognitive impairment or unable to read in 2003 (the baseline), and those not self-reported or with incomplete data, there were totally 3,147 eligible participants who were ≥50 year-old. The logistic regression model was used to explore the association between reading habits and the 4-year subsequent cognitive decline, adjusted for socio-demographic variables, health status and health behaviors.
Results: With including reading in the 10 kinds of leisure-time activities, the results showed that the likelihood of cognitive decline was lower for those with a higher level of leisure-time activities (OR=0.55, 95% CI= 0.40-0.76, p<0.001). With excluding reading from the leisure-time activities, while the results still suggested a lower likelihood of cognitive decline for those with a higher level of leisure-time activities (OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.54-1.00, p=0.049), the strength of association is weak. Whereas participants having reading habits were less likely to suffer cognitive decline compared with those having no reading habit (OR=0.52, 95%CI=0.38-0.71, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Our finding demonstrates the advantage of reading to prevent cognitive decline for older adults. We suggest that older adults read once a week or more to promote health and delay a decline in cognitive functions.
