Abstract
Objective: Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological interventions to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) have gained attention in recent years. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS (AtDCS) combined with memory training on face-name associations in an AD patient sample.Methods: Thirty six AD patients were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: Group 1, AtDCS plus individualized computerized memory training; Group 2, placebo tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training; Group 3, AtDCS plus motor training.Results: A general improvement in performance was observed after 2 weeks of memory training. Both the anodal tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training and the placebo tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training groups had significantly improved performances at 2 weeks compared with the AtDCS plus motor training group.Conclusion: Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of individualized memory rehabilitation in AD patients.
Highlights
Memory impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the core of this type of dementia
Both the anodal tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training and the placebo tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training groups had significantly improved performances at 2 weeks compared with the AtDCS plus motor training group
Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of individualized memory rehabilitation in AD patients
Summary
Memory impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the core of this type of dementia. AD is a progressive disorder that affects several cognitive functions. Some aspects of cognitive functions are preserved until later in the disease and can be the targets of specific “rehabilitative/preservative” interventions (Clare et al, 2002; Werheid and Clare, 2007). The evidence regarding the neuropsychological profile of patients with AD justify the application of cognitive rehabilitation at an early dementia stage (Cotelli et al, 2012). Cognitive rehabilitation aiming to improve memory function in dementia patients remains somewhat controversial (Clare et al, 2003b; Bahar-Fuchs et al, 2013)
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