Effect of Internet‐based vs in‐person cognitive interventions on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized, cross‐over, open‐label trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to investigate the effect of Internet‐based and in‐person cognitive interventions on cognition, mood, and activities of daily living (ADL) on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and examine whether Internet‐based intervention is as effective as the in‐person intervention.MethodWe recruited 52 patients with probable mild AD, of whom 42 completed the trial. We randomly divided participants into intervention and control groups at a 1:1 ratio and statistically compared the neuropsychological test results of the two groups. In addition, patients in the intervention group were randomly assigned to a four‐week Internet‐based or in‐person intervention, with subsequent crossover to the other group for four weeks. We statistically analyzed and compared the neuropsychological test scores between Internet‐based and in‐person interventions.ResultCompared with the control group, the intervention group (Internet‐based and in‐person) showed significantly improved profile in cognition (P<0.001), depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001) and ADL (P<0.001). In addition, the effect of the Internet‐based intervention on cognition (P = 0.918) and depression (P = 0.282) was not significantly different from that of the in‐person intervention. However, in the Beck Anxiety Inventory (P = 0.009) and Seoul Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (P = 0.023), in‐person intervention was more effective than Internet‐based intervention.ConclusionThis study suggests that both types of cognitive intervention (in‐person and Internet‐based) may be viable supplementary treatments along with approved pharmacological therapy. In terms of cognition and depression, the effect of Internet‐based interventions may not be significantly different from that of in‐person interventions.