Article

Adaptation to blindness can lead to the enhancement of the attentional
capacities and working memory in young people. However, although the effects of
ageing on the cognition of sighted people and people with age-related visual
impairments are well-documented, no study seems to have investigated the
age-related changes of these cognitive processes in people who are blind. The aim
of this study was to assess the effects of age on the attentional processes and
working memory in blind people. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on
43 blind participants and 42 sighted participants. The participants performed
auditory computerized tests assessing selective, sustained and divided attention,
attentional switching, and working memory. RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance
revealed significant visual status effect and age effect on most of the variables
studied. No interaction was found between visual status and age effects.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the trajectories of cognitive age-related
change are similar in blind people and in sighted people. This study has
implications for rehabilitation, such as cognitive intervention. Implications for
Rehabilitation Blind people show improved attentional capacities compared to
sighted people, even in old blind people. Old blind people have lower
performances than younger blind people in tests assessing selective, sustained
and divided attention, and working memory. Cognitive approaches to rehabilitation
may help people who are blind to deal with age-related cognitive decline and its
effects on everyday functioning. A high level of cognitive stimulation, provided
by a cognitive training or a developed social participation, might reduce the
age-related effects in people who are blind.

Langue : ANGLAIS