SQUARE STEPPING EXERCISE IMPROVE SHORT-TERM MEMORY IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Elderly is an advanced process that has a lot of decline in function, one of the decline that occurs is memory. Short-term memory is the most decreased in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Square Stepping Exercise (SSE) on Short-term memory in the elderly. This was a pre-test post-test group design. Twentyseven elderly (60 years and older, 85% women) were recruited. Participants are asked to memorize the pattern of steps that have been given, then follow step patterns on a 4 by 10 square-patterned SSE mat without viewing printed pattern diagrams. Participants do exercise 30-45 minutes / day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Short term memory evaluated using mini COG. Improvement of short-term memory occurs by 28, 93% (p = 0.001). The results of the study is that the provision of Square Stepping Exercise can improve short-term memory in the elderly
Keywords: Elderly, Square Stepping Exercise, Short-term memory