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In a study led by Professor Yow Wei Quin at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), researchers have demonstrated the efficacy of a bilingual game app in mitigating cognitive decline among seniors.

"Bilingualism is known to promote neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve, with research showing that lifelong bilingualism modifies brain structure and function in older adults. Importantly, bilingualism has been shown to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by an average of 4.7 years," noted Prof Yow, emphasizing the novel approach of leveraging bilingualism to promote cognitive well-being.

Published in Innovation in Aging, their study titled "A novel dual-language touch-screen intervention to slow down cognitive decline in older adults: A randomized controlled trial, introduced the Dual-Language Intervention in Semantic memory-Computerized (DISC) tool. This multilingual, touch-screen game app features an avatar named Ah Mei, guiding users through cognitive exercises aimed at improving cognitive functions independently.

Unlike traditional game apps for seniors, DISC uniquely integrates bilingualism into its cognitive training, offering simultaneous language challenges to enhance cognitive benefits.

Through randomized trials involving cognitively healthy and impaired older adults from Singaporean senior care centers, Prof Yow's team observed significant cognitive improvements in participants using DISC's dual-language mode compared to single-language and control groups. These improvements encompassed visuospatial skills and verbal learning stages, demonstrating immediate and delayed effects in different cognitive domains, Medical Xpress reported.

According to Prof Yow, these findings suggest that bilingual cognitive interventions could potentially offset cognitive decline associated with aging, though neural degeneration may limit effectiveness in certain individuals.

Feedback from senior care center staff regarding the DISC app, now branded as the Ami (Advancing Mental Invigoration) app, has been positive, indicating high user engagement and operational efficiencies for caretakers.

The success of the Ami app prototype, currently piloted at Lions Befrienders senior facility with 1,000 installed tablets, underscores the translation of research findings into practical, community-based solutions.

Looking ahead, Prof Yow and her team plan to delve deeper into the bio-neural mechanisms underlying cognitive improvements from bilingual interventions. Collaborations with community organizations aim to further enhance the Ami app's integration into senior care services, validating its efficacy in real-world settings.

The development of the Ami app exemplifies SUTD's commitment to merging design and technology in impactful research, emphasizing user-centric solutions while maintaining scientific rigor.