A Comparison of Two Multi-Tasking Approaches to Cognitive Training in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Abstract

Background: The multi-tasking approach may be promising for cognitive rehabilitation in cardiac surgery patients due to a significant effect on attentional and executive functions. This study aimed to compare the neuropsychological changes in patients who have undergone two variants of multi-tasking training and a control group in the early postoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: One hundred and ten CABG patients were divided into three groups: cognitive training (CT) I (a postural balance task with mental arithmetic, verbal fluency, and divergent tasks) (n = 30), CT II (a simple visual–motor reaction with mental arithmetic, verbal fluency, and divergent tasks) (n = 40), and control (n = 40). Results: Two or more cognitive indicators improved in 93.3% of CT I patients, in 72.5% of CT II patients, and in 62.5% of control patients; CT I patients differed from CT II and control (p = 0.04 and p = 0.008, respectively). The improving short-term memory and attention was found more frequently in the CT I group as compared to control (56.7% vs. 15%; p = 0.0005). The cognitive improvement of all domains (psychomotor and executive functions, attention, and short-term memory) was also revealed in CT I patients more frequently than CT II (46.7% vs. 20%; p = 0.02) and control (46.7% vs. 5%; p = 0.0005). Conclusions: The CT I multi-tasking training was more effective at improving the cognitive performance in cardiac surgery patients as compared to CT II training and standard post-surgery management. The findings of this study will be helpful for future studies involving multi-tasking training.

Electrical Activity Changes and Neurovascular Unit Markers in the Brains of Patients after Cardiac Surgery: Effects of Multi-Task Cognitive Training

“…A magnetic resonance imaging study detected silent brain lesions after CABG in 20.1% of patients [37]. Recent research has indicated that approximately 60-70% of cardiac surgery patients experience postoperative cognitive dysfunction during the early postoperative period [10,37,38]. The BDNF serum levels decreased within the first 24 h of surgery in both the MTT group and the controls (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively).…”

“…In the divergent task, the participants were asked to come up with creative ways to use ordinary objects (such as a ruler, glass, and a rope). All tasks were completed one by one, with a short period of rest and breaks from the balance platform [10].…”

“…The search for methods to enhance cognitive functioning and understand the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie these improvements is growing. Non-pharmacological interventions are recognized by many experts as the most effective [8][9][10]. Recent reports indicate that combining physical and cognitive exercises enhances cognitive functions more effectively than either approach alone [11].…”

“…Recent reports indicate that combining physical and cognitive exercises enhances cognitive functions more effectively than either approach alone [11]. The multi-tasking approach, which involves performing motor and cognitive tasks simultaneously, triggers the activation of the different cognitive domains, such as attention, inhibitory control, and executive function [10,12].…”

“…Biomedicines 2024, 12, 756 2 of 12 Preliminary data showed that multi-task training (MTT) can provide effective cognitive recovery in cardiac surgery patients [10,13].…”