Marco Cavallo1,2,3, Edyta Monika Hunter4, Karin van der Hiele5, Chiara Angilletta3. 1. eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy. 2. Department of Mental Health , Azienda Sanitaria Locale Torino 3, Collegno, Torino, Italy. 3. Assisted Health Residence "Ville Roddolo" , Moncalieri, Torino, Italy. 4. Canterbury Christ Church University, Department of Psychology, Politics and Sociology , Tunbridge Wells, England (UK). 5. Leiden University, Department of Psychology, Section Health, Medical and Neuropsychology , Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents with significant neuropsychological deficits. Cognitive training in AD has recently started to demonstrate its efficacy. In this study, we implemented computerized cognitive trainingof a large group of early-stage AD patients, to identify its effects at a neuropsychological level and to investigate whether they were stable after 6 months. METHOD: Overall, 80 AD patients were randomized in two groups. Patients in the experimental group used a structured rehabilitative software three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks aimed at training memory, attention, executive function and language skills, whereas patients in the control group underwent a control intervention. RESULTS: A Repeated Measures General Linear Model considering groups' performance at the three assessment points (before training, after training and at the 6-month follow-up) showed a significant interaction effect for: digit span forward (F(2,74) = 2.785, p = 0.03) and backward (F(2,74) = 3.183, p = 0.02), two-syllable words test (F(2,74) = 3.491, p = 0.004), Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test immediate (F(2,74) = 2.877, p = 0.03) and delayed (F(2,74) = 3.783, p = 0.003), Token test (F(2,74) = 4.783, p = 0.001), and Brixton test (F(2,74) = 8.783, p < 0.001). For all of them, experimental group performed better than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the experimental group showed a significant improvement in various neuropsychological domains, and their achievements were stable after 6 months. This study suggests an useful computerized training in AD, and should prompt further investigations about the generalizability of patients' acquired skills to more ecologically oriented tasks.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION:Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents with significant neuropsychological deficits. Cognitive training in AD has recently started to demonstrate its efficacy. In this study, we implemented computerized cognitive training of a large group of early-stage ADpatients, to identify its effects at a neuropsychological level and to investigate whether they were stable after 6 months. METHOD: Overall, 80 ADpatients were randomized in two groups. Patients in the experimental group used a structured rehabilitative software three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks aimed at training memory, attention, executive function and language skills, whereas patients in the control group underwent a control intervention. RESULTS: A Repeated Measures General Linear Model considering groups' performance at the three assessment points (before training, after training and at the 6-month follow-up) showed a significant interaction effect for: digit span forward (F(2,74) = 2.785, p = 0.03) and backward (F(2,74) = 3.183, p = 0.02), two-syllable words test (F(2,74) = 3.491, p = 0.004), Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test immediate (F(2,74) = 2.877, p = 0.03) and delayed (F(2,74) = 3.783, p = 0.003), Token test (F(2,74) = 4.783, p = 0.001), and Brixton test (F(2,74) = 8.783, p < 0.001). For all of them, experimental group performed better than controls. CONCLUSIONS:Patients in the experimental group showed a significant improvement in various neuropsychological domains, and their achievements were stable after 6 months. This study suggests an useful computerized training in AD, and should prompt further investigations about the generalizability of patients' acquired skills to more ecologically oriented tasks.
Authors: Min Ju Kang; So Min Kim; Seo Eun Han; Ji Hyun Bae; Woo Jin Yu; Min Young Park; Seongsu Ku; YoungSoon Yang Journal: Dement Neurocogn Disord Date: 2019-07-03
Authors: Sandra L Kletzel; Pallavi Sood; Ahmed Negm; Patricia C Heyn; Shilpa Krishnan; Joseph Machtinger; Xiaolei Hu; Hannes Devos Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2021-06-16 Impact factor: 4.669