A-08 Predictors of Everyday Problem Solving in Subtypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract Objective The Everyday Problems Test (EPT) evaluates problem solving ability needed to complete activities of daily living (ADLs), such as medication and financial management. This study assessed the contributions of executive functioning and subtypes of memory on everyday problem solving in healthy aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and non-amnestic MCI. Method Participants included healthy older adults (n = 56) and individuals with MCI (amnestic MCI n = 25; non-amnestic MCI n = 36). Composite scores were derived for Executive Functioning (Trail Making Test-B and FAS), Immediate Memory (short delayed recall scores from the California Verbal Learning Test-II and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised) and Delayed Memory (long delayed recall scores from both memory tests). The EPT was the measure of everyday problem solving. Results We found that for the control group and the entire MCI group (both amnestic and non-amnestic MCI), executive functioning, immediate memory, and delayed memory predicted problem solving. When examining the separate MCI subtypes, executive functioning and delayed memory predicted problem solving in non-amnestic-MCI, but not amnestic MCI. Conclusions Findings suggest that healthy older adults engage a range of cognitive skills (executive and memory skills) when they engage in everyday problem-solving. Executive and memory skills are also utilized for those with non-amnestic MCI when performing ADLs. Interestingly, in those exhibiting memory impairment and with increased risk for the Alzheimer’s type of dementia, memory and executive functions do not predict ADL problem solving. These findings indicate that people with amnestic-MCI may benefit from being given compensatory strategies to support their memory difficulties when they must perform everyday problem-solving.

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Can functional task exercise improve executive function and contribute to functional balance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment? A pilot study

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022618763492 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 81 (9) ◽

pp. 495-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lawla LF Law ◽

Kenneth NK Fong ◽

Matthew MK Yau

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Executive Function ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Functional Balance ◽

Everyday Problem Solving ◽

Everyday Problem ◽

Functional Task

Introduction Individuals with cognitive impairment are more susceptible to falls associated with decreased executive function and balance. This pilot study investigated whether functional task exercise could improve executive function, which might further affect the functional balance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Method This was a single-group pre-test/post-test pilot. A total of 43 participants completed a 10-week structured functional task exercise programme, performing simulated functional tasks. Paired-samples t-test was performed to evaluate intervention effects. Associations between variables were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the contribution of cognitive variables to functional balance. Results Significant improvements were shown in general cognitive functions, executive function, functional balance and functional status. All executive function outcomes were significantly associated with functional balance. Everyday problem-solving ability was the only significant cognitive contributor ( β = 0.407, p < 0.05) to functional balance after controlling for the confounding factors. Conclusion This pilot showed functional task exercise using simulated functional task as a means of intervention was feasible and was associated with observed improvements in executive function and functional balance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, whereas everyday problem-solving ability was found to be associated with functional balance. Further well-designed controlled studies are needed to draw more definitive conclusions.

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Repetition Priming in Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Dementia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neuropsychology Review ◽

10.1007/s11065-021-09504-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Liselotte De Wit ◽

Vitoria Piai ◽

Pilar Thangwaritorn ◽

Brynn Johnson ◽

Deirdre O’Shea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Repetition Priming ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Amnestic Mci ◽

Standard Mean Difference ◽

Priming Paradigm

AbstractThe literature on repetition priming in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is inconsistent, with some findings supporting spared priming while others do not. Several factors may explain these inconsistencies, including AD severity (e.g., dementia vs. Mild Cognitive Impairment; MCI) and priming paradigm-related characteristics. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a quantitative summary of repetition priming in AD. We examined the between-group standard mean difference comparing repetition priming in AD dementia or amnestic MCI (aMCI; presumably due to AD) to controls. Thirty-two studies were selected, including 590 individuals with AD dementia, 267 individuals with amnestic MCI, and 703 controls. Our results indicated that both individuals with aMCI and AD dementia perform worse on repetition priming tasks than cognitively older adults. Paradigm-related moderators suggested that the effect size between studies comparing the combined aMCI or AD dementia group to cognitively healthy older adults was the highest for paradigms that required participants to produce, rather than identify, primes during the test phase. Our results further suggested that priming in AD is impaired for both conceptual and perceptual priming tasks. Lastly, while our results suggested that priming in AD is impaired for priming tasks that require deep processing, we were unable to draw firm conclusions about whether priming is less impaired in aMCI or AD dementia for paradigms that require shallow processing.

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