Work stress can reduce the risk of dementia

Baghdad-INA

The results of a new study found that work stress can reduce the risk of developing dementia.

The study indicates, “The harder your brain works at your job, the less likely you are to develop problems with memory and thinking later in life.” The results also indicate that “jobs that stimulate the mind but avoid repetition, such as teaching, working in public relations, or “Working as a computer programmer is beneficial, but road workers and sanitation workers may be at greater risk.”

A team from Oslo University Hospital in Norway analyzed data from 7,000 people in 305 different occupations, measured the amount of cognitive stimulation the participants experienced while working, and divided them into four groups based on the results.

They also “measured the degree to which routine manual tasks were performed. ” They then recorded the score for non-repetitive analytical tasks, such as engaging in creative thinking, the score for non-routine personal tasks such as exercise, and the score for non-repetitive cognitive tasks that Involved in professions such as public relations and computer programming.”

The analysis revealed, “Among those who had jobs with low cognitive demands, 42% were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, and among those who worked in jobs with higher cognitive demands, they were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.” 27% of them had mild cognitive impairment.

Overall, the group with the lowest cognitive demands at work was 66% more at risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, compared to the group with the highest cognitive demands.