Objective To study the effect of mind mapping on cognitive ability in elderly with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods A total of 60 elderly aged were randomly divided into training group (30 cases) and control group(30 cases).Elderly in control group received routine maintenance of living habits.The elderly in the training group received miud mapping training intensively for 30 minutes every day for 12 months.The training effects were evaluated by mini-mental state examination(MMSE) and abilities of daily living scale(ADL).Results After training,the score of MMSE in the training group( six months:25.55 ± 1.17;one year:26.30 ±1.64) were significantly higher than before intervention( P＜ 0.05 ) and higher than that of control group(24.90 ± 1.97) (P＜0.05).The score of ADL in the training group( 14.47 ±0.64) were significantly lower than before intervention( 14.47 ±0.64) and that of control group( 15.47 ± 1.19) ( P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mind mapping training can improve the cognitive abilities of MCI older people.