Computerized Cognitive Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: Computerized cognitive training has been successful in healthy older adults, but its efficacy has been mixed in patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel clinical trial, we examined the short- and long-term efficacy of a brain-plasticity computerized cognitive training in 113 participants with amnestic MCI. Results: Immediately after 40-hours of training, participants in the active control group who played computer games performed better than those in the experimental group on the primary cognitive outcome (p = 0.02), which was an auditory memory/attention composite score. There were no group differences on 2 secondary outcomes (global cognitive composite and rating of daily functioning). After 1 year, there was no difference between the 2 groups on primary or secondary outcomes. No adverse events were noted. Conclusions: Although the experimental cognitive training program did not improve outcomes in those with MCI, the short-term effects of the control group should not be dismissed, which may alter treatment recommendations for these patients.

Effectiveness of computer-based interventions for community-dwelling people with cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analyses

“…Despite the similarity of the compared interventions, the composite score does not match our domain classification. Furthermore, global cognition did not increase significantly in the intervention group [ 80 ], corresponding with our findings. The second identified RCT [ 81 ] evaluated a CCI also on a PC compared to a control group which received only educational material during the pretest on people with dementia.…”

“…We identified two additional recent RCTs that were published after our literature search and therefore were not included in our analysis. Duff et al [ 80 ] investigated CCIs in people with MCI. The authors [ 80 ] compared an intervention group utilizing selected exercises from a known computerized cognitive training program on a PC, which already showed beneficial effects on cognition in previous literature, with a control group using computerized games from the same program, without clear beneficial findings.…”

“…Duff et al [ 80 ] investigated CCIs in people with MCI. The authors [ 80 ] compared an intervention group utilizing selected exercises from a known computerized cognitive training program on a PC, which already showed beneficial effects on cognition in previous literature, with a control group using computerized games from the same program, without clear beneficial findings. The primary outcome, a composite score named auditory memory/attention significantly increased for participants in the active control group.…”

Predicting daily functioning with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status

“…On enrollment, participants completed the Independent Living Scales (ILS) which lasted 1 h in a 3.5 h battery at a baseline visit which on average took place 23 (SD = 20.5, range = 1-128) days after the screening. A subset of the baseline sample (n = 93) completed the ILS again as part of the overall battery approximately 16 (SD = 1.7, range = 10.6-21.4) months later at a follow-up visit scheduled one year after participants completed the cognitive intervention which did not significantly improve cognitive or functional outcomes [23].…”

Effectiveness of mobile computerized cognitive training in adults with mild cognitive impairment: interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial

“…objective memory [23,[27][28][29][30] and subjective memory [31], there are inconsistent ndings regarding attention [24,32], language, spatial perception and executive functioning [18,23,33]. While the primary focus of research on cCT for individuals with MCI has been on its impact on cognitive abilities, a meta-analyses suggest that cCT may have positive effects on patient-related outcomes, such as depressive symptoms and quality of life [34,35].…”