scholarly journals Effects of Process-Based Cognitive Training on Memory in the Healthy Elderly and Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 751-761
Author(s):  
Minyoung Shin ◽  
Ahee Lee ◽  
A Young Cho ◽  
Minam Son ◽  
Yun-Hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Objective This study investigated the effects of process-based cognitive training that targets working memory and cognitive control on memory improvement in healthy elderly individuals and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods Forty healthy subjects and 40 patients with MCI were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group received 12 sessions of designated cognitive training. The control group did not receive cognitive training. A memory test was administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Additional comprehensive neuropsychological tests were also administered including a depression scale questionnaire.Results Performance in attention and working memory, which are directly related to the training domains, and global cognitive function were improved in the intervention group after training. In memory tests, interference by irrelevant stimuli was reduced and recognition memory was improved after the intervention. Furthermore, cognitive training ameliorated depressive symptoms. These training effects were not dependent on MCI status.Conclusion Process-based cognitive training that targets working memory and cognitive control effectively improves memory processes including retrograde interference and recognition, as well as depressive symptoms associated with aging in healthy elderly individuals and patients with MCI.

The effect of group exercises on balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra da Silveira Langoni ◽  
Thais de Lima Resende ◽  
Andressa Bombardi Barcellos ◽  
Betina Cecchele ◽  
Juliana Nunes da Rosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: To determine the effects of group exercises on balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Design: Single blinded, randomized, matched pairs clinical trial. Setting: Four primary healthcare units. Subjects: Fifty-two sedentary subjects with mild cognitive impairment were paired (age, sex, body mass index, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised score), tested, and then randomized into an intervention group ( n = 26) and a control group ( n = 26). Intervention: The intervention group performed strength (ankle weights, elastic bands, and dumbbells) and aerobic exercises (walking) in their communities’ public spaces, twice a week (60 minutes each), during 24 weeks. The control group maintained its usual routine. Main measures: Balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)), mobility (Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Before the intervention, the two groups did not differ statistically. After, the intervention group showed significant improvement ( P < 0.05) in balance (before: 53 ± 3; after: 55.1 ± 1.1 points), mobility (before: 10.7 ± 2.9 seconds; after: 8.3 ± 2 seconds), and depressive symptoms (median punctuation (interquartile range) before: 4 (1.8–6); after: 2.5 (1–4)). The control group presented a significant increase in their depressive symptoms (median before: 3.5 (2–7.3); after: 4 (2–5.3)), while their balance and mobility showed no significant modification. Small effect sizes were observed in the intervention group and control group depressive symptoms, as well as in the control group’s mobility and balance. Large effect sizes were observed the intervention group’s mobility and balance. Conclusion: Group exercises improved balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Computerized Cognitive Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110064
Author(s):  
Kevin Duff ◽  
Jian Ying ◽  
Kayla R. Suhrie ◽  
Bonnie C.A. Dalley ◽  
Taylor J. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computerized Cognitive Training ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Objective: Computerized cognitive training has been successful in healthy older adults, but its efficacy has been mixed in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel clinical trial, we examined the short- and long-term efficacy of a brain-plasticity computerized cognitive training in 113 participants with amnestic MCI. Results: Immediately after 40-hours of training, participants in the active control group who played computer games performed better than those in the experimental group on the primary cognitive outcome (p = 0.02), which was an auditory memory/attention composite score. There were no group differences on 2 secondary outcomes (global cognitive composite and rating of daily functioning). After 1 year, there was no difference between the 2 groups on primary or secondary outcomes. No adverse events were noted. Conclusions: Although the experimental cognitive training program did not improve outcomes in those with MCI, the short-term effects of the control group should not be dismissed, which may alter treatment recommendations for these patients.

scholarly journals Impaired abstract thinking may discriminate between normal aging and vascular mild cognitive impairment

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Kenji Sudo ◽  
Gilberto Sousa Alves ◽  
Carlos Eduardo de Oliveira Alves ◽  
Maria Elisa Lanna ◽  
Letice Ericeira-Valente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cerebrovascular Disease ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Abstract Thinking ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Healthy Elderly

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is associated with cognitive deficits. This cross-sectional study examines differences among healthy elderly controls and patients with vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) and vascular dementia (VaD) in performances on CAMCOG subscales. METHOD: Elderly individuals (n=61) were divided into 3 groups, according to cognitive and neuroimaging status: 16 controls, 20 VaMCI and 25 VaD. VaMCI and VaD individuals scored over 4 points on the Hachinski Ischemic Scale. RESULTS: Significant differences in total CAMCOG scores were observed across the three groups (p<0.001). VaD subjects performed worse than those with VaMCI in most CAMCOG subscales (p<0.001). All subscales showed differences between controls and VaD (p<0.001). Performance on abstract thinking showed difference between VaMCI and controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: CAMCOG discriminated controls from VaMCI and VaD. Assessment of abstract thinking may be useful as a screening item for diagnosis of VaMCI.

Is the Discrimination of Subjective Cognitive Decline from Cognitively Healthy Adulthood and Mild Cognitive Impairment Possible? A Pilot Study Utilizing the R4Alz Battery

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 715-732
Author(s):  
Eleni Poptsi ◽  
Despina Moraitou ◽  
Emmanouil Tsardoulias ◽  
Andreas L. Symeonidisd ◽  
Magda Tsolaki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Neurocognitive Disorders ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Working Memory Updating

Background: The early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders before the symptoms’ onset is the ultimate goal of the scientific community. REMEDES for Alzheimer (R4Alz) is a battery, designed for assessing cognitive control abilities in people with minor and major neurocognitive disorders. Objective: To investigate whether the R4Alz battery’s tasks differentiate subjective cognitive decline (SCD) from cognitively healthy adults (CHA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The R4Alz battery was administered to 175 Greek adults, categorized in five groups a) healthy young adults (HYA; n = 42), b) healthy middle-aged adults (HMaA; n = 33), c) healthy older adults (HOA; n = 14), d) community-dwelling older adults with SCD (n = 34), and e) people with MCI (n = 52). Results: Between the seven R4Alz subtasks, four showcased the best results for differentiating HOA from SCD: the working memory updating (WMCUT-S3), the inhibition and switching subtask (ICT/RST-S1&S2), the failure sets (FS) of the ICT/RST-S1&S2, and the cognitive flexibility subtask (ICT/RST-S3). The total score of the four R4Alz subtasks (R4AlzTot4) leads to an excellent discrimination among SCD and healthy adulthood, and to fare discrimination among SCD and MCI. Conclusion: The R4Alz battery is a novel approach regarding the neuropsychological assessment of people with SCD, since it can very well assist toward discriminating SCD from HOA. The R4Alz is able to measure decline of specific cognitive control abilities - namely of working memory updating, and complex executive functions - which seem to be the neuropsychological substrate of cognitive complaints in community dwelling adults of advancing age.

Benefits of training working memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: specific and transfer effects

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Carretti ◽  
Erika Borella ◽  
Silvia Fostinelli ◽  
Michela Zavagnin
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Memory Problems

ABSTRACTBackground:A growing number of studies are attempting to understand how effective cognitive interventions may be for patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), particularly in relation to their memory problems.Methods:The present study aimed to explore the benefits of a working memory (WM) training program in aMCI patients. Patients (N= 20) were randomly assigned to two training programs: the experimental group practiced with a verbal WM task, while the active control group conducted educational activities on memory.Results:Results showed that the aMCI patients completing the WM training obtained specific gains in the task trained with some transfer effects on other WM measures (visuospatial WM) and on processes involved in or related to WM, e.g. fluid intelligence (the Cattell test) and long-term memory. This was not the case for the aMCI control group, who experienced only a very limited improvement.Conclusion:This pilot study suggests that WM training could be a valuable method for improving cognitive performance in aMCI patients, possibly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

International Ballroom Dancing Against Neurodegeneration: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Greek Community-Dwelling Elders With Mild Cognitive impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 489-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioulietta Lazarou ◽  
Themis Parastatidis ◽  
Anthoula Tsolaki ◽  
Mara Gkioka ◽  
Anastasios Karakostas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
T Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ballroom Dancing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
And Control

Background: Many studies have highlighted the positive effects of dance in people with neurodegenerative diseases. Objectives: To explore the effects of International Ballroom Dancing on cognitive function in elders with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods: One-hundred twenty-nine elderly patients with aMCI diagnosis (mean age 66.8 ± 10.1 years) were randomly assigned into 2 groups: intervention group (IG, n = 66) and control group (CG, n = 63). The IG exercised systematically for 10 months, and both groups were submitted to extensive neuropsychological assessment prior and after the 10-month period. Results: According to the independent sample t test at the follow-up, significant differences between groups were found in benefit of the IG while the CG showed worse performance in the majority of neuropsychological tests. According to the Student t test, better performance is detected in IG in contrast with CG, which had worse performance almost in all scales. Conclusion: Dance may be an important nonpharmacological approach that can benefit cognitive functions.

Efficacy of a cognitive intervention program in patients with mild cognitive impairment

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galeno J. Rojas ◽  
Veronica Villar ◽  
Monica Iturry ◽  
Paula Harris ◽  
Cecilia M. Serrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Measures ◽  
One Year

ABSTRACTBackground: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state between normal aging and dementia. Identifying this condition would allow early interventions that may reduce the rate of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined the efficacy of a six-month cognitive intervention program (CIP) in patients with MCI and to assess patients’ condition at one-year follow-up.Methods: Forty-six MCI participants assessed with neuropsychological, neurological, neuropsychiatry, and functional procedures were included in this study and followed up during a year. The sample was randomized into two subgroups: 24 participants (the “trained group”) underwent the CIP during six months while 22 (control group) received no treatment. Sixteen participants dropped out of the study. The intervention focused on teaching cognitive strategies, cognitive training, and use of external aids, in sessions of two hours, twice per week for six months. Cognitive and functional measures were used as primary outcome and all were followed up at one year.Results: The intervention effect (mean change from baseline) was significant (p < 0.05) on the Mini-Mental State Examination (1.74), the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (0.14), the Boston Naming Test (2.92), block design (−13.66), matrix reasoning (−3.07), and semantic fluency (−3.071) tasks. Four patients (one trained and three controls) progressed to dementia after one year of follow-up.Conclusions: These results suggest that persons with MCI can improve their performance on cognitive and functional measures when provided with early cognitive training and it could persist in a long-term follow-up.

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