Background:
Individuals with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) are at heightened
risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia. In recent years, much attention has been given to the search
for new interventions to slow down the progression of cognitive decline of these patients. Wearable
digital camera devices are one form of new technology that captures images of one’s life events, so they
constitute a promising method to be used as a means to stimulate recent autobiographical memory.
Objective:
This preliminary study investigates the ability of a new cognitive intervention based on exposure
to recent autobiographical memory captured by wearable cameras to improve episodic memory in
patients with aMCI.
Method:
Seventeen subjects wore a wearable camera while they went about their daily activities. The
images captured were converted into eight different 3-minute films containing the most relevant information
of each event. The intervention involved eight individualized weekly sessions during which patients
were exposed to a different autobiographical event each week. Besides, several specific questions
were formulated within each session. Clinical questionnaires assessing cognitive reserve, premorbid intelligence,
depression, and anxiety were administered at baseline. Measures of objective episodic memory
were applied at baseline and at post-treatment.
Results:
Significant improvements were observed at post-treatment in memory measures, and significant
associations were found between memory change scores and age and cognitive reserve. Anyway,
these associations did not reach statistical significance after adjusting for multiple comparisons.
Conclusion:
The present study provides preliminary evidence that aMCI patients may benefit from a
cognitive intervention program based on re-experiencing recent autobiographical events. However, future
studies incorporating a control group will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Effect of 12-week home-based cognitive training on cognitive function and brain metabolism in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
