A pilot randomized trial of two cognitive rehabilitation interventions for mild cognitive impairment: caregiver outcomes

Abstract

Objective To provide effect size estimates of the impact of two cognitive rehabilitation interventions provided to patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): computerized brain fitness exercise (BF) and memory support system (MSS), on support partners' outcomes of depression, anxiety, quality of life, and partner burden. Methods Randomized controlled pilot trial. Results At 6 months, the partners from both treatment groups showed stable to improved depression scores, while partners in an untreated control group showed worsening depression over six months. There were no statistically significant differences on anxiety, quality of life or burden outcomes in this small pilot trial; however, effect sizes were moderate suggesting the sample sizes in this pilot study were not adequate to detect statistical significance. Conclusion Either form of cognitive rehabilitation may help partners' mood, compared to providing no treatment. However, effect size estimates related to other partner outcomes (i.e., burden, quality of life, anxiety) suggest follow-up efficacy trials will need sample sizes of at least 30-100 people per group to accurately determine significance.

Comparative Effectiveness of Behavioral Interventions on Quality of Life for Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

“… 7 , 8 Furthermore, partners in both treatment groups had stable mood and anxiety level, whereas partners in the control groups had worsening depression and anxiety level during 6 months. 9 Similarly, a systematic review 4 supported that various computerized interventions aimed at improving cognition may be associated with reduced anxiety and depression in patients with MCI, and persons with MCI trained with therapists in compensatory strategies, such as the MSS calendar training, have a greater benefit in ADLs, self-beliefs about memory, and confidence.…”

The Effectiveness of e-Health Solutions for Aging With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

“…In total, 74 publications were included in the data analysis and synthesis of this review. Two publications stemmed from the same study but focused on separate participant samples and outcomes ( Chandler et al., 2017 ; Cuc et al., 2017 ), and two publications were causally related because one was a follow-up study of the other ( Cavallo & Angilletta, 2018 ; Cavallo et al., 2016 ). Thus, these 74 publications reflected 72 unique studies and comprised 70 unique e-Health interventions.…”

Interventions Effective in Decreasing Burden in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Meta-Analysis

“…The identification of the studies was performed using the author’s name, date, and a unique identifier code. The studies were grouped (individual information [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], individual therapy [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], group therapy [ 33 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], respite care [ 33 , 56 , 57 ], support group [ 32 , 45 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ], and workshop [ 20 , 63 , 64 ]) according to the type of intervention [ 12 , 65 ] ( Supplementary Tables S1–S6 ).…”