Effects of Multivitamin Supplements on Cognitive Function, Serum Homocysteine Level, and Depression of Korean Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Care Facilities

Abstract

Purpose: To examine effects of multivitamin supplements on cognitive function, serum homocysteine level, and depression of Korean older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in care facilities.

Design: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was employed.

Methods: Forty-eight adults 65 years of age and older with MCI (experimental, n = 24; control, n = 24) who were living in care facilities in Gyeong-gi-do, Korea, were recruited. Multivitamin supplements as experimental treatment consisted of vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. Multivitamin supplements were taken at a dosage of one pill every day for 12 weeks through the oral route. Measures were Mini Mental State Examination-Korean, serum homocysteine level, and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea Version. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Findings: There were significant effects of multivitamin supplements on cognitive function (F = 3.624, p = .021), serum homocysteine level (F = 6.974, p = .001), and depression (F = 10.849, p = .001).

Conclusions: Multivitamin supplements increased cognitive function, and decreased serum homocysteine level and depression of Korean older adults with MCI in care facilities.

Clinical relevance: Multivitamin supplements can be utilized for improving cognitive ability and for decreasing depression of Korean older adults with MCI in care facilities.

Keywords: Aged; cognition; depression; homocysteine; vitamin.