Novelty Interventions to Enhance Broad Cognitive Abilities and Prevent Dementia

Abstract

Process-based cognitive trainings (PCTs) and novelty interventions are two traditional approaches aiming to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. However, both have their limitations. PCTs improve performance only in cognitive tests similar to the training tasks with inconsistent transfer effects on dissimilar tests. We argue that this learning specificity is due to a low training task variability. Novelty interventions are characterized by a high task variability but do not target specific processing demands affected in aging and dementia. To overcome the limitations of both approaches, we developed a process-based novelty intervention using a card and board game-based training approach. Here, we use highly variable tasks, which overlap in targeted processing demands ("overlapping variability" framework). Another nontraditional training approach combines cognitively with physically challenging tasks to induce multimechanistic effects, which might even interact positively. Initial results of both synergistic approaches indicate their potential to enhance broad cognitive abilities and prevent dementia.

Mnemonic strategy training of the elderly at risk for dementia enhances integration of information processing via cross‐frequency coupling

“…In this study examining the neural correlates of an intervention program integrating both physical and mental activity for older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia, we found a significantly more extended functional connectivity pattern at the intervention group over the course of 10 weeks. In addition, we also found that cognitive scores improved significantly, and our findings are consistent with prior studies, which have found that an intensive computer training program improves cognitive function more than educational DVDs in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults [32] , [33] . This study aimed to extend our knowledge about the plasticity of functional brain networks in older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia.…”

Mnemonic strategy training of the elderly at risk for dementia enhances integration of information processing via cross‐frequency coupling

“…In this study examining the neural correlates of an intervention program integrating both physical and mental activity for older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia, we found a significantly more extended functional connectivity pattern at the intervention group over the course of 10 weeks. In addition, we also found that cognitive scores improved significantly, and our findings are consistent with prior studies, which have found that an intensive computer training program improves cognitive function more than educational DVDs in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults [32] , [33] . This study aimed to extend our knowledge about the plasticity of functional brain networks in older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia.…”

Multimodal Web-Based Intervention for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients: Cog-Stim Feasibility Study Protocol

“…Authors suggested that the absence of significant beneficial effects could be a result of the high level of difficulty and stress reported among patients included in the combined intervention group. Results from these studies differ from previous results from studies investigating the efficacy of simultaneous combined intervention in other populations [ 28 , 32 , 38 ]. It can be suspected that the mode of intervention in these two studies was too overwhelming and stressful for patients so that it could result with beneficial effects on cognition.…”

“…This hypothesis has been confirmed by several studies outside oncology research, [27,28,30,31,32,33,34,35] although, in the field of CRCI, to our knowledge, only two small (10 and 28 patients, respectively) studies, with low statistical power, have reported some preliminary results on the potential effect of a computer-based intervention combining cognitive stimulation and physical activity [36,37]. In both studies, the intervention consisted of 12 weeks of computer-based cognitive training; aerobic training, or a combination of both cognitive and aerobic training followed by flexibility (30 min-stretching).…”

The Aerobic and Cognitive Exercise Study (ACES) for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With or At-Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Neuropsychological, Neurobiological and Neuroimaging Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…More recently, studies have examined cognitive outcomes in dual tasks wherein there is more naturalistic interactivity (as in the cybercycle scenario above; Anderson-Hanley et al, 2012 ; as well as other interactive modalities such as dance: Foster, 2013 ; Kattenstroth et al, 2013 ; Dhami et al, 2015 ; Schoene et al, 2015 ; Burzynska et al, 2017 ; Marquez et al, 2017 ; Müller et al, 2017 ; Rehfeld et al, 2017 ). These recent studies seem to be converging on a similar cognitive-enhancing phenomenon that lends empirical support to the synergistic hypothesis outlined above and in part, elsewhere (Fissler et al, 2013 ). Recent reviews of the literature on the cognitive benefits of exergaming for older adults conclude the preliminary evidence is promising (Smith et al, 2010 ; Schoene et al, 2013 ; Bamidis et al, 2014 ; Barry et al, 2014 ; Chao et al, 2014 ; Ogawa et al, 2016 ; Zhu et al, 2016 ; Zilidou et al, 2016 ), but further research of the effects of these interactive interventions and the impact of specific components (e.g., passive stimulation vs. active cognitive training, aerobic vs. non-aerobic activity, etc.)…”

Mnemonic strategy training of the elderly at risk for dementia enhances integration of information processing via cross‐frequency coupling

“…In this study examining the neural correlates of an intervention program integrating both physical and mental activity for older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia, we found a significantly more extended functional connectivity pattern at the intervention group over the course of 10 weeks. In addition, we also found that cognitive scores improved significantly, and our findings are consistent with prior studies, which have found that an intensive computer training program improves cognitive function more than educational DVDs in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults [32] , [33] . This study aimed to extend our knowledge about the plasticity of functional brain networks in older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia.…”

Multimodal Web-Based Intervention for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients: Cog-Stim Feasibility Study Protocol

“…Authors suggested that the absence of significant beneficial effects could be a result of the high level of difficulty and stress reported among patients included in the combined intervention group. Results from these studies differ from previous results from studies investigating the efficacy of simultaneous combined intervention in other populations [ 28 , 32 , 38 ]. It can be suspected that the mode of intervention in these two studies was too overwhelming and stressful for patients so that it could result with beneficial effects on cognition.…”

“…This hypothesis has been confirmed by several studies outside oncology research, [27,28,30,31,32,33,34,35] although, in the field of CRCI, to our knowledge, only two small (10 and 28 patients, respectively) studies, with low statistical power, have reported some preliminary results on the potential effect of a computer-based intervention combining cognitive stimulation and physical activity [36,37]. In both studies, the intervention consisted of 12 weeks of computer-based cognitive training; aerobic training, or a combination of both cognitive and aerobic training followed by flexibility (30 min-stretching).…”

The Aerobic and Cognitive Exercise Study (ACES) for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With or At-Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Neuropsychological, Neurobiological and Neuroimaging Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…More recently, studies have examined cognitive outcomes in dual tasks wherein there is more naturalistic interactivity (as in the cybercycle scenario above; Anderson-Hanley et al, 2012 ; as well as other interactive modalities such as dance: Foster, 2013 ; Kattenstroth et al, 2013 ; Dhami et al, 2015 ; Schoene et al, 2015 ; Burzynska et al, 2017 ; Marquez et al, 2017 ; Müller et al, 2017 ; Rehfeld et al, 2017 ). These recent studies seem to be converging on a similar cognitive-enhancing phenomenon that lends empirical support to the synergistic hypothesis outlined above and in part, elsewhere (Fissler et al, 2013 ). Recent reviews of the literature on the cognitive benefits of exergaming for older adults conclude the preliminary evidence is promising (Smith et al, 2010 ; Schoene et al, 2013 ; Bamidis et al, 2014 ; Barry et al, 2014 ; Chao et al, 2014 ; Ogawa et al, 2016 ; Zhu et al, 2016 ; Zilidou et al, 2016 ), but further research of the effects of these interactive interventions and the impact of specific components (e.g., passive stimulation vs. active cognitive training, aerobic vs. non-aerobic activity, etc.)…”

Mnemonic strategy training of the elderly at risk for dementia enhances integration of information processing via cross‐frequency coupling

“…In this study examining the neural correlates of an intervention program integrating both physical and mental activity for older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia, we found a significantly more extended functional connectivity pattern at the intervention group over the course of 10 weeks. In addition, we also found that cognitive scores improved significantly, and our findings are consistent with prior studies, which have found that an intensive computer training program improves cognitive function more than educational DVDs in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults [32] , [33] . This study aimed to extend our knowledge about the plasticity of functional brain networks in older adults with cognitive impairment due to dementia.…”

Multimodal Web-Based Intervention for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients: Cog-Stim Feasibility Study Protocol

“…Authors suggested that the absence of significant beneficial effects could be a result of the high level of difficulty and stress reported among patients included in the combined intervention group. Results from these studies differ from previous results from studies investigating the efficacy of simultaneous combined intervention in other populations [ 28 , 32 , 38 ]. It can be suspected that the mode of intervention in these two studies was too overwhelming and stressful for patients so that it could result with beneficial effects on cognition.…”

“…This hypothesis has been confirmed by several studies outside oncology research, [27,28,30,31,32,33,34,35] although, in the field of CRCI, to our knowledge, only two small (10 and 28 patients, respectively) studies, with low statistical power, have reported some preliminary results on the potential effect of a computer-based intervention combining cognitive stimulation and physical activity [36,37]. In both studies, the intervention consisted of 12 weeks of computer-based cognitive training; aerobic training, or a combination of both cognitive and aerobic training followed by flexibility (30 min-stretching).…”

The Aerobic and Cognitive Exercise Study (ACES) for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With or At-Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): Neuropsychological, Neurobiological and Neuroimaging Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…More recently, studies have examined cognitive outcomes in dual tasks wherein there is more naturalistic interactivity (as in the cybercycle scenario above; Anderson-Hanley et al, 2012 ; as well as other interactive modalities such as dance: Foster, 2013 ; Kattenstroth et al, 2013 ; Dhami et al, 2015 ; Schoene et al, 2015 ; Burzynska et al, 2017 ; Marquez et al, 2017 ; Müller et al, 2017 ; Rehfeld et al, 2017 ). These recent studies seem to be converging on a similar cognitive-enhancing phenomenon that lends empirical support to the synergistic hypothesis outlined above and in part, elsewhere (Fissler et al, 2013 ). Recent reviews of the literature on the cognitive benefits of exergaming for older adults conclude the preliminary evidence is promising (Smith et al, 2010 ; Schoene et al, 2013 ; Bamidis et al, 2014 ; Barry et al, 2014 ; Chao et al, 2014 ; Ogawa et al, 2016 ; Zhu et al, 2016 ; Zilidou et al, 2016 ), but further research of the effects of these interactive interventions and the impact of specific components (e.g., passive stimulation vs. active cognitive training, aerobic vs. non-aerobic activity, etc.)…”