Effects of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognition, Apathy, Quality of Life, and Subjective Complaints in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of a new-generation integrative cognitive rehabilitation (CR) program (Rehacop) on cognition, clinical symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and subjective complaints in the elderly. DesignA randomized controlled trial study with a cohort of elderly people over 55 years of age. SettingCommunities of the Basque Country (Spain). ParticipantsA total of 124 elderly participants (aged 79.00 ± 8.85 years) were randomized in the Rehacop group (RG) (n = 62) and control group (CG) (n = 62). InterventionThe RG attended 39 CR sessions for 3 months (3 sessions/week, 60-minute/session) with the Rehacop program. The CG performed occupational tasks with the same frequency and duration as the RG. MethodsParticipants underwent a neuropsychological assessment at baseline and post-treatment which included cognitive, clinical, and functional tests. In addition, participants and their formal caregivers completed a subjective complaints questionnaire. The data were analyzed according to the intention to treat analysis and with participants who completed the study. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03435029). ResultsThe RG showed significant improvements compared to the CG in neurocognition (ANCOVA timexgroup interaction effect size (ηp2)=0.05, 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.00–0.12). The RG also reduced apathy (ηp2=0.06, 90% CI = 0.01–0.15) and participants’ subjective complaints (ηp2=0.11, 90% CI = 0.03–0.21) and improved QoL (ηp2=0.08, 90% CI = 0.01–0.17). ConclusionsParticipants who attended the intervention improved their cognition, QoL, and reduced apathy and subjective complaints after treatment. These findings provide a new understanding of the benefits of CR in the elderly.