OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature and summarize the effect of cognitive training (CT) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients on multiple functional domains. METHOD: Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for 17 controlled studies identified through a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: An overall effect size of 0.47 was observed for all CT strategies across all measured outcomes. Mean effect sizes were higher for restorative (0.54) than for compensatory (0.36) strategies. Domain-specific effect sizes ranged from 2.16 (verbal and visual learning) to -0.38 (visuospatial functioning). Data are also presented on the relative impact of restorative and compensatory strategies for each domain of functioning. CONCLUSION: CT evidenced promise in the treatment of AD, with primarily medium effect sizes for learning, memory, executive functioning, activities of daily living, general cognitive problems, depression, and self-rated general functioning. Restorative strategies demonstrated the greatest overall effect on functioning. Several limitations of the published literature are discussed.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature and summarize the effect of cognitive training (CT) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients on multiple functional domains. METHOD: Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for 17 controlled studies identified through a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: An overall effect size of 0.47 was observed for all CT strategies across all measured outcomes. Mean effect sizes were higher for restorative (0.54) than for compensatory (0.36) strategies. Domain-specific effect sizes ranged from 2.16 (verbal and visual learning) to -0.38 (visuospatial functioning). Data are also presented on the relative impact of restorative and compensatory strategies for each domain of functioning. CONCLUSION: CT evidenced promise in the treatment of AD, with primarily medium effect sizes for learning, memory, executive functioning, activities of daily living, general cognitive problems, depression, and self-rated general functioning. Restorative strategies demonstrated the greatest overall effect on functioning. Several limitations of the published literature are discussed.
Authors: Shaun M Eack; Amber L Bahorik; Susan S Hogarty; Deborah P Greenwald; Maralee Y Litschge; Carla A Mazefsky; Nancy J Minshew Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2013-09
Authors: Jennifer R Cracchiolo; Takashi Mori; Stanley J Nazian; Jun Tan; Huntington Potter; Gary W Arendash Journal: Neurobiol Learn Mem Date: 2007-08-21 Impact factor: 2.877
Authors: David B Hogan; Peter Bailey; Sandra Black; Anne Carswell; Howard Chertkow; Barry Clarke; Carole Cohen; John D Fisk; Dorothy Forbes; Malcolm Man-Son-Hing; Krista Lanctôt; Debra Morgan; Lilian Thorpe Journal: CMAJ Date: 2008-11-04 Impact factor: 8.262