The findings suggest that people with jobs that involve routine tasks, which are the least cognitively challenging, are 66% more likely to develop cognitive impairment after age 70. Conversely, those whose jobs are cognitively stimulating in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s may have a reduced risk of cognitive impairment later on. Edwin explained that the findings support the ‘cognitive reserve hypothesis,’ which suggests that cognitive abilities can adapt to changes related to Alzheimer’s and potentially delay dementia symptoms.
The researchers categorized jobs based on a Routine Task Intensity (RTI) scale. Routine tasks, which received the lowest RTI grades, require less mental involvement and often involve repetitive tasks that may not challenge the brain significantly. Non-routine tasks, which received lower RTI grades, require more cognitive involvement and involve regular novel challenges that may require analysis, creativity, or the strategic interpretation of raw information. The study found that individuals in the low RTI group, which included primary and secondary education teaching professionals, had a lower rate of cognitive impairment at age 70 compared to those in the high RTI group.
