A study conducted at Fondazione-IRCCS-Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” has found intriguing evidence indicating the cognitive benefits of crochet, particularly its ability to improve attention through required motor skill learning. The research compares the effects of crochet on experienced crocheters with those of individuals not engaged in crocheting, using both behavioral tests and advanced brain imaging techniques.
The study aimed to explore how crochet influences cognitive functions, building upon previous research which revealed the psychological benefits of craft activities. These include stress relief and enhanced perceived control, likely due to the combination of creativity and the repetitive nature of the craft.
After participants completed the Attentional Network Test (ANT) and were assessed using Magnetoencephalography (MEG), results showed significant advancements among those who crocheted. Specifically, it was found there was improved alertness and orienting networks, which are fundamental components of attention. The crocheting participants displayed faster reaction times and greater accuracy on the test compared to their control group counterparts who did not engage in any crafting activity.
Crucially, increases were observed not just behaviorally but within the brain's functional connectivity as well. The research established an increased Betweenness Centrality maximum (BCmax) index and global functional connectivity (FC) within the beta and alpha frequency bands following crochet sessions. This suggests improved integration of information exchange between neural networks, reinforcing the hypothesis of strengthened connections between motor and attentional systems.
"These results could be the reinforcement of connections between motor and attentional networks promoted by learning the complex motor skills of crochet," the authors noted, highlighting how the skills involved demand substantial cognitive engagement. Crochet requires practitioners to perform coordinated and asymmetric movements of fingers and wrists, which, combined with the need to focus on various aspects of the task, seems to bolster attentional capacities.
This study is particularly notable as it contributes new insights to the field, illustrating how everyday activities can serve as practical tools for cognitive enhancement and potentially for neurorehabilitation techniques. By showcasing how crochet engages attentional networks, the researchers set the stage for exploring other complex manual activities and their cognitive impacts.
To conclude, the findings anticipate broader applications for craft activities as beneficial cognitive training exercises. They urge future research to examine lessons learned through crochet and apply them to other forms of artistic manual labor, such as knitting or painting, and investigate their role in promoting attentional flexibility and cognitive health.