A study published in the journal Neurology claims that mentally stimulating work may guard against memory and thinking disorders later in life.
The authors behind this research came to this conclusion after studying the career paths of 7,000 people in Norway in 305 occupations, seeking to determine the extent to which participants were cognitively stimulated by the different jobs they held during their careers.
To do this, the research team analysed the tasks performed by the participants in the course of their work, before dividing them into five groups: routine manual, routine cognitive, non-routine analytical, non-routine interpersonal, and non-routine cognitive.
Routine manual tasks demand speed, control over equipment, and often repetitive motions – typical of factory work. Routine cognitive tasks demand precision and accuracy of repetitive tasks, such as in bookkeeping and filing.
Non-routine analytical tasks refer to activities that involve processing and studying information, engaging in creative thinking, and interpreting information for others. Non-routine interpersonal tasks refer to establishing and maintaining personal relationships, motivating others and coaching. Finally, non-routine cognitive jobs include public relations and computer programming.
It turns out that teaching is one of the most cognitively demanding sectors of activity, unlike janitorial work.
Participants were also asked to perform memory and logical reasoning tests when they reached age 70. It was found that 42% of volunteers whose work did not stimulate them intellectually developed mild cognitive impairment. This figure fell to 27% for those whose work was more cognitively demanding.
After taking into account various factors such as age, gender and salary, the researchers found that individuals with the least rewarding jobs ran a 66% higher risk of developing cognitive disorders than those who performed more complex professional tasks.
“People with a history of cognitively stimulating occupations during their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia when they were older than 70 years, highlighting the importance of occupational cognitive stimulation during midlife for maintaining cognitive function in old age,” the study said.
“These results indicate that doing work that challenges your brain during your career plays a crucial role in lowering the risk of cognitive impairment later in life.”
Nevertheless, it is important to note that this research has certain methodological limitations, and does not prove that working in a stimulating occupation prevents the onset of mild cognitive impairment. However, it does raise important questions about how our working lives influence our long-term cognitive health.
With this in mind, employees would do well to engage in “job crafting” – that is, adapting the characteristics of their job to better align with personal needs, goals, and skills.