F2-01-01: COGNITIVE TRAINING FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH MCI AND MILD DEMENTIA: STATE OF THE SCIENCE, CENTRAL CHALLENGES, AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. P157-P157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Bahar-Fuchs ◽  
Benjamin M. Hampstead ◽  
Linda Clare
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
State Of The Science

scholarly journals Effects of virtual reality-based cognitive training in older adults living without and with mild dementia: a pretest–posttest design pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludmiła Zając-Lamparska ◽  
Monika Wiłkość-Dębczyńska ◽  
Adam Wojciechowski ◽  
Marta Podhorecka ◽  
Anna Polak-Szabela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Cognitive Ageing ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Modern Technologies

Abstract Objective Modern technologies are increasingly used in the development of cognitive interventions for older adults. Research into possible applications of virtual reality in such interventions has begun only recently. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of 8 sessions of VR-based cognitive training using the GRADYS game in healthy older adults (n = 72; aged 60–88) and older adults living with mild dementia (n = 27; aged 60–89). Results Older adults with mild dementia demonstrated worse baseline cognitive performance than participants without dementia. Both groups showed progress in training, which was greater in healthy older adults. There were also significant differences in cognitive functioning before and after the training. However, positive changes were revealed almost exclusively in the group of older adults without dementia. Based on the findings, we can recommend the GRADYS game for cognitive enhancement and as a possible counter-measure for cognitive decline experienced in normal cognitive ageing. Our results provide also support for the usefulness of VR technology in cognitive interventions in older adults. The use of the GRADYS game in persons living with dementia, however, would require several of the hardware and software modifications. Trial registration ISRCTN17613444, date of registration: 10.09.2019. Retrospectively registered

scholarly journals The Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training in Older Adults Non-Demented and with Mild Dementia: an One Group Pretest-Posttest Design

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludmiła Zając-Lamparska ◽  
Monika Wiłkość-Dębczyńska ◽  
Adam Wojciechowski ◽  
Marta Podhorecka ◽  
Anna Polak-Szabela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract Background Current methods of cognitive interventions for older adults are increasingly employing modern technologies. However, research into possible applications of virtual reality (VR) in such interventions has begun only recently. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of VR-based cognitive training for older adults and to compare this efficacy in older adults without cognitive impairment and with mild dementia. Methods The complete data were obtained from 99 individuals aged 60-89, qualified according to Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores into the group of non-demented older adults (n=72, mean age 68, MMSE: 28-30) or older adults with mild dementia (n=27, mean age 72, MMSE: 19-23). An one group pretest-posttest design was applied. Cognitive training with the use of GRADYS software – a computer game with elements of VR was introduced in all participants. The game included four modules corresponding to: attention, memory, visual processing and language. The intervention lasted 4 weeks and consisted of eight sessions, two per week. The intervention program was preceded and followed by a cognitive assessment of processes corresponding to the modules of the game. The following statistical tests were used: the repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance supplemented with one-way tests, the Hotelling T2 test, the Student’s t test, the Friedman test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results Both research groups demonstrated progress in the training, which was greater in non-demented older adults for the majority of cognitive modules except for the attention module. There were also significant differences in general cognitive functioning before and after the training. However, positive changes in cognitive performance in particular tests were revealed almost exclusively in the group of older adults without cognitive impairment. There was no relationship between the level achieved in particular training modules and the improvement in corresponding cognitive tasks. Conclusions Currently, we can recommend the GRADS game for use only in non-demented older adults. The hypothesis of the presumable usefulness of the game in individuals with MCI needs to be tested. In turn, the application of the GRADYS game to people with dementia would require modification of the hardware and software.

Task-Switching Training and Transfer

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsófia Anna Gaál ◽  
István Czigler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Training Procedure ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Transfer Tasks

Abstract. We used task-switching (TS) paradigms to study how cognitive training can compensate age-related cognitive decline. Thirty-nine young (age span: 18–25 years) and 40 older (age span: 60–75 years) women were assigned to training and control groups. The training group received 8 one-hour long cognitive training sessions in which the difficulty level of TS was individually adjusted. The other half of the sample did not receive any intervention. The reference task was an informatively cued TS paradigm with nogo stimuli. Performance was measured on reference, near-transfer, and far-transfer tasks by behavioral indicators and event-related potentials (ERPs) before training, 1 month after pretraining, and in case of older adults, 1 year later. The results showed that young adults had better pretraining performance. The reference task was too difficult for older adults to form appropriate representations as indicated by the behavioral data and the lack of P3b components. But after training older adults reached the level of performance of young participants, and accordingly, P3b emerged after both the cue and the target. Training gain was observed also in near-transfer tasks, and partly in far-transfer tasks; working memory and executive functions did not improve, but we found improvement in alerting and orienting networks, and in the execution of variants of TS paradigms. Behavioral and ERP changes remained preserved even after 1 year. These findings suggest that with an appropriate training procedure older adults can reach the level of performance seen in young adults and these changes persist for a long period. The training also affects the unpracticed tasks, but the transfer depends on the extent of task similarities.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Eye Blinks Predict Executive Functioning in Seniors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessika I. V. Buitenweg ◽  
Jaap M. J. Murre ◽  
K. Richard Ridderinkhof
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Memory Updating ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Working Memory Updating

AbstractAs the world’s population is aging rapidly, cognitive training is an extensively used approach to attempt improvement of age-related cognitive functioning. With increasing numbers of older adults required to remain in the workforce, it is important to be able to reliably predict future functional decline, as well as the individual advantages of cognitive training. Given the correlation between age-related decline and striatal dopaminergic function, we investigated whether eye blink rate (EBR), a non-invasive, indirect indicator of dopaminergic activity, could predict executive functioning (response inhibition, switching and working memory updating) as well as trainability of executive functioning in older adults. EBR was collected before and after a cognitive flexibility training, cognitive training without flexibility, or a mock training. EBR predicted working memory updating performance on two measures of updating, as well as trainability of working memory updating, whereas performance and trainability in inhibition and switching tasks could not be predicted by EBR. Our findings tentatively indicate that EBR permits prediction of working memory performance in older adults. To fully interpret the relationship with executive functioning, we suggest future research should assess both EBR and dopamine receptor availability among seniors.

scholarly journals The effects of combined cognitive training on prospective memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Chen ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Zijing Hong ◽  
Rongrong Hu ◽  
Zhibin Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Executive Function Training ◽  
Encoding Strategy

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the effects of combined cognitive training on prospective memory ability of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 113 participants were divided into a control group and three intervention groups. Over three months, the control group received only community education without any training, whereas for the first six weeks, an executive function training group received executive function training, a memory strategy training group received semantic encoding strategy training, and the combined cognitive training group received executive function training twice a week for the first six weeks, and semantic encoding strategy training twice a week for the next six weeks. The combined cognitive training group showed improvement on the objective neuropsychological testing (Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale). The memory strategy training group showed improvement on the self-evaluation scales (PRMQ-PM). Combined cognitive training improved the prospective memory and cognitive function of older adults with MCI.

scholarly journals 400 - Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training with an Elderly Community Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
M Pires ◽  
A Antunes ◽  
C Gameiro ◽  
C Pombo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Before And After

Community-focused programs that promote active and healthy aging can help preserve cognitive capacities, prevent or reverse cognitive deficits. Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a promising non-pharmacological, cost -effective and accessible intervention to face the effects of age-related cognitive decline. Previous studies proved CCT to have equal or better efficacy compared to traditional interventions. This comparative multifactorial study aims to test the efficacy of a CCT in a non-randomized community sample of 74 older adults: G1-CCT Experimental group (n=43) (Mean age M=72.21, SD=12.65) and G2- Paper-Pencil Control group (n=31; M=77.94, SD=10.51). Pensioners (97.3%), mostly women (83.8 %) with basic education (51.4%) and without dementia diagnosis, completed a cognitive training program of 17 or 34 group sessions (twice a week). G2 undertook a classic cognitive paper-pencil stimuli tasks. G1, performed, additionally, individual CCT with COGWEB® in a multimodal format (intensive training of attention, calculation, memory, gnosis, praxis, executive functions). Both groups completed Portuguese versions of Mini -Mental State Examination (MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA); Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS); Mini Dependence Assessment (MDA); WHOOQL 5 and Social Support Satisfaction Scale (ESSS) before and after participating in the program. Both groups reported better post-test scores on basic cognitive functions (MMSE, MOCA), Depression symptoms (GDS-30), subjective well-being and quality of life (WHOOQL-5). G1 presented higher MOCA and lower GDS scores before and after CCT, although, group differences become less expressive when interaction effects are considered. Results are in line with findings from past studies, CCT supported by the new technologies, is as a relevant cost-effective therapeutic tool for health professionals working with older adults. Particularly for preventive purposes of neuro-cognitive disorders.

scholarly journals A Novel Touch-Screen, Dual-Language Intervention Program for Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
W Quin Yow ◽  
Hui-Ching Chen ◽  
Tharshini Lokanathan ◽  
Attila Achenbach ◽  
Lucienne Blessing
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Touch Screen ◽  
Language Intervention

Abstract Although cognitive training in healthy older adults (OA) has been controversial, specific and isolated cognitive skills such as semantic memory can be improved with appropriate designs. Semantic memory has been considered as a clinical marker for cognitive decline in dementia. The current study, as part of a larger touch-screen dual-language intervention program with cognitive training tools, aims to slow down the rate of cognitive decline in OA with dementia (OwD). A set of neuropsychological tests was conducted before and after the training program. After 24 training sessions over 8-12 weeks, OwD (11 females, 1 male, mean=85.8yo) improved significantly in their verbal working memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test; RAVLT) while performance of the cognitive-healthy OA (5 females, 3 males, mean=76.3yo) remained the same post-intervention. Our findings suggest that touch-screen technology can help OwD improve their semantic memory. The strengths and limitations of our game design and intervention will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

scholarly journals I'd Rather Be . . . : Activities Older Adults Reported Leading to Decreased Engagement With Cognitive Training

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 325-325
Author(s):  
Erin Harrell ◽  
Nelson Roque
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Form Factor ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Tablet Device

Abstract One modifiable risk factor of dementia is cognitive inactivity. Given cognitive ability is closely tied to continual performance of instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive training programs continue to be explored as a way to boost cognition and allow older adults to remain independent longer. While the efficacy of cognitive training is controversial, identifying activities older adults are willing to limit in exchange for cognitive training provides valuable information in relation to designing cognitive training programs that appeal to older adults. Using a qualitative approach, this study highlights activities older adults (ages 64+) noted as contributing to decreased gameplay of a cognitive training program on a tablet device. We found that respondents (61%) noted playing less as a result of entertainment activities (i.e., reading and playing games), social activities (31%) and travel (27%). Findings have implications for device form factor in administering cognitive training and other programs.

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