The Effects of Cognitive-Based Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Cognitive-based intervention is divided into three types: Cognitive Stimulation (CS), Cognitive Training (CT), and Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR). This study was conducted to identify systematically the effects of cognitive-based interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) applied to older adults in the following three groups: cognitively healthy, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Methods: This search was carried out using the Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Korea databases. The effectiveness of the intervention was verified using the CMA 2.0 program. Results: A total of 54 RCTs were included in systematic reviews and 38 studies were analyzed by meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that cognitive-based interventions were effective in improving the cognitive function (SMD=0.39, 95% CI=0.32-0.44) of older adults. The subgroup analysis of cognitive function revealed that CT was the most effective in the cognitively healthy (SMD=0.40, 95% CI=0.33-0.46) and the MCI (SMD=0.45, 95% CI=0.27-0.63) groups, and CS was the most effective in the dementia group (SMD=0.57, 95% CI=0.43-0.70). Conclusion: In order to improve the cognitive function of older adults in each group, the most effective intervention type needs to be considered first. Evidence on the appropriate type of Cognitive-based intervention will be helpful in nursing practice.

Stroke Telerehabilitation in Calabria: A Health Technology Assessment

Introduction: Telerehabilitation (TR) is defined as a model of home service for motor and cognitive rehabilitation, ensuring continuity of care over time. TR can replace the traditional face-to-face approach as an alternative method of delivering conventional rehabilitation and applies to situations where the patient is unable to reach rehabilitation facilities or for low-income countries where outcomes are particularly poor. For this reason, in this study, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of a well-known TR intervention on post-stroke patients living in one of the poorest indebted regions of Italy, where the delivery of rehabilitation services is inconsistent and not uniform.Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients (13 male/6 female; mean age: 61.1 ± 8.3 years) with a diagnosis of first-ever ischemic (n = 14) or hemorrhagic stroke (n = 5), who had been admitted to the intensive rehabilitation unit (IRU) of the Institute S. Anna (Crotone, Italy), were consecutively enrolled to participate in this study. After the discharge, they continued the motor treatment remotely by means of a home-rehabilitation system. The entire TR intervention was performed (online and offline) using the Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS) (Khymeia, Italy). All patients received intensive TR five times a week for 12 consecutive weeks (60 sessions, each session lasting about 1h).Results: We found a significant motor recovery after TR protocol as measured by the Barthel Index (BI); Fugl-Meyer motor score (FM) and Motricity Index (MI) of the hemiplegic upper limbs.Conclusions: This was the first demonstration that a well-defined virtual reality TR tool promotes motor and functional recovery in post-stroke patients living in a low-income Italian region, such as Calabria, characterized by a paucity of specialist rehabilitation services.

Effects of Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation on Attention, Executive Functions, and Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Pilot Study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease (PD) has become increasingly recognized in recent years, and there is a need to identify methods for cognitive rehabilitation in PD patients. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and effects of 2 different computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR) interventions on attention, executive functions, and quality of life (QoL) in PD patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Thirty nondemented PD patients were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: one passive control group and 2 intervention groups with 2 different CBCR programmes. The intervention period was 8 weeks with follow-up visits in clinic every second week. Before and after the intervention period, patients were tested with a neuropsychological battery of attention, executive functions, and QoL. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-four patients completed the study. Patients in one of the CBCR groups experienced a significant within-group increase on the primary measures of attention, executive functions, and QoL. However, this effect was not significant between groups. No significant differences were observed for the other CBCR group or the control group. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> CBCR is a feasible intervention for cognitive rehabilitation in nondemented PD patients. The effects of training were modest and should be further explored in larger clinical trials. Some CBCR programmes might be more effective than others for PD patients. The protocol for this study was published prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov on September 18, 2017 with ID: NCT03285347.

Application of Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation

Virtual reality (VR) is defined as a simulation of the real world using computer graphics. The basic components of a VR application or program are interaction and immersion. Human-computer interaction is achieved through multiple sensory channels that allow individuals to explore virtual environments through senses. Immersion is considered the degree to which the individual feels engrossed or enveloped within the virtual environment. Scope of virtual reality is quite wide and varied, including technology, industry, education, and health. In the health sector, it has a significant role in assessment as well as intervention. Specific to human behavior and cognition, virtual reality's (VR) application is for cognitive assessment and rehabilitation. VR offers the potential to develop human testing and training environments that allow for the precise control of complex stimulus presentations in which human cognitive and functional performance can be accurately assessed and rehabilitated.

Usability and Applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Older Adults

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been explored to be an effective alternative to integrating mental health intervention proposals, particularly in eldercare. The objective is to map the usability and applications of VR and AR technologies in interventions for the elderly population. The main areas of interventions in AR and VR applied to the elderly are stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, treatment of mental diseases, and promotion of quality of life. Despite the need for further studies, VR and AR have strong adherence among the elderly and demonstrate promising potential in interventions that seek to promote mental health and improve the quality of life.

Cognitive Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis in the Period from 2013 and 2021: A Narrative Review

Background: In recent years, several blinded randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted on cognitive rehabilitation (CR) in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To review all blinded RCTs on CR in MS published since 2013. Methods: The National Library of Medicine database (Medline) and PSYCINFO were searched using the keywords MS and CR or cognitive training or NP rehabilitation or memory rehabilitation or attention rehabilitation. Results: After the exclusion of some papers not specifically focused on CR, a final list of 26 studies was established. The papers belong to three main categories: individual specific rehabilitation (8studies), group rehabilitation (4 studies), and computerized training (CT) (14 studies), while one study combined group rehabilitation and CT. Among the individual rehabilitation studies, 5 were devoted to memory, and most of the 19 other selected studies were about several cognitive domains. Most of the studies mainly concerned RRMS patients, except for 2 studies that were carried out exclusively in progressive forms. Despite the methodological limitations of some studies and the great heterogeneity of the protocols, the results are generally in favor of the efficacy of CR in neuropsychological tests. Conclusion: Recent blinded RCTs about CR in MS show promising results.

Strengthening Mental Abilities with Relational Training (SMART) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Study Protocol for a Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition of the central nervous system, affecting around 1 in every 600 people in the UK, with 130 new diagnoses every week. Cognitive difficulties are common amongst people with MS, with up to 70% experiencing deficits in higher-level brain functions – such as planning and problem-solving, attention, and memory. Cognitive deficits make it difficult for people with MS to complete everyday tasks and limit their abilities to work, socialise, and live independently. There is a clear need – and recognised research priority – for treatments that can improve cognitive functioning in people with MS. The absence of effective cognitive interventions exacerbates burdens on the services accessed by people with MS – requiring these services to manage sequelae of untreated cognitive deficits, including reduced quality of life, greater disability and dependence, and poorer adherence to disease-modifying treatments. Our planned research will fill the evidence gap through developing – and examining the feasibility of trialling – a novel online cognitive rehabilitation programme for people with MS (SMART). Methods The primary objective of this study aims to conduct a feasibility study to inform development of a definitive trial of SMART for improving cognitive functioning in people with MS. Secondary objectives include accessing the acceptability to participants of the intervention, delivery format, inclusion/exclusion criteria, baselines and outcome measures, randomisation protocol, and the study procedures. It will further assess the framework for a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a definitive trial; participant recruitment and retention rates, sample-size needed for a fully powered trial, and signal of efficacy. Discussion As a feasibility trial, outcomes are unlikely to immediately effect changes to NHS practice. However, this is a necessary step towards developing a definitive trial – and will give us a signal of efficacy, a prerequisite for progression to a definitive trial. If found to be clinically- and cost-effective, the latter trial could create a step-change in MS cognitive rehabilitation – improving service-delivery and optimising support with limited additional resources. Trial Registration: Registration ID: ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT04975685 – registered on July 23rd, 2021 Protocol version: 2.0, 25 November 2021