The study aimed to examine the effect of social prescribing on improving cognitive performance among community-dwelling older adults, and to explore the potential association between social support and the change of cognitive performance.

One hundred and eighteen older adults from Changtang community participated in the study and were followed up for three months. Cognitive function was assessed with Hong Kong Brief Cognitive test (HKBC) at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Pre- and post-social prescribing difference in cognitive performance was examined with paired t-test. Multivariate regression analysis was used to explore the potential factors of social support associated with the change of cognitive function.

Compared with baseline measurement (25.4±4.1), the total score of HKBC improved significantly after three-month social prescribing (26.5±3.6; t=-3.300，P=0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that baseline level of social support utilization was associated with the change of cognitive performance. The lower the utilization of social support at baseline, the more the change of cognitive performance due to social prescribing (β= -0.25, 95%CI = - 0.88 ~ -0.05).

Social prescribing may have a beneficial effect on cognitive function for community older adults. The utilization of social support may be one of the factors associated with its effect on cognitive performance.