Hui-Ling Yang1, Hsin Chu2, Nae-Fang Miao3, Pi-Chen Chang4, Philip Tseng5, Ruey Chen6, Huei-Ling Chiu7, Kondwani Joseph Banda8, Kuei-Ru Chou9. 1. School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Institute of Aerospace and Undersea Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Post-Baccalaureate Program in Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain and Consciousness Research Center, TMU - Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan. 6. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. School of Gerontology Health Management, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. 8. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Endoscopy Unit, Department of Surgery , Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. 9. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: kueiru@tmu.edu.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the immediate and long-term effects of executive attention training on selective attention, focused attention, and divided attention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: A double-blind, multisite randomized controlled trial at five sites. Seventy participants (mean age: 78.19 ± 7.22 years) were assigned to an experimental group (executive attention training, n = 35) or an active control group (n = 35). The training duration was the same for both groups (45 minutes per session, 3 times per week, 18 sessions in total). Primary outcome measure was selective attention (Digit Span Task). Secondary outcome measures included focused attention (Stroop Color Word Test) and divided attention (Trail-Making Test Part B). Data were collected at pretest, post-test, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: In GEE analysis, findings indicated a significant improvement in selective attention at post-test, whereas divided attention showed significant reducing omission error at 3-month follow-up. There was no significant effect of group in focused attention associated with the executive attention training compared with active control group. CONCLUSION: The executive attention training significantly improved selective attention and divided attention performance. Future studies should identify transfer effects of attention training, and that can employ early screening to provide integrated attention training, and decrease its relevant risks on competency in performing daily activities, such as falling and driving.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To examine the immediate and long-term effects of executive attention training on selective attention, focused attention, and divided attention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: A double-blind, multisite randomized controlled trial at five sites. Seventy participants (mean age: 78.19 ± 7.22 years) were assigned to an experimental group (executive attention training, n = 35) or an active control group (n = 35). The training duration was the same for both groups (45 minutes per session, 3 times per week, 18 sessions in total). Primary outcome measure was selective attention (Digit Span Task). Secondary outcome measures included focused attention (Stroop Color Word Test) and divided attention (Trail-Making Test Part B). Data were collected at pretest, post-test, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: In GEE analysis, findings indicated a significant improvement in selective attention at post-test, whereas divided attention showed significant reducing omission error at 3-month follow-up. There was no significant effect of group in focused attention associated with the executive attention training compared with active control group. CONCLUSION: The executive attention training significantly improved selective attention and divided attention performance. Future studies should identify transfer effects of attention training, and that can employ early screening to provide integrated attention training, and decrease its relevant risks on competency in performing daily activities, such as falling and driving.
Authors: Michael Chih Chien Kuo; Tsz Yang Fong; Cheuk Wing Fung; Chi To Pang; Lok Man So; Ka Ki Tse; Armstrong Tat San Chiu; King Yeung Journal: Dement Neuropsychol Date: 2020-12