NG‐001: A novel multi‐domain digital cognitive intervention for neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are increasingly recognized as early non‐cognitive manifestations of patients at‐risk of dementia and are associated with accelerated cognitive decline. While cognitive stimulation may be an effective intervention in improving NPS and quality of life of patients and their caregivers, there is a need for a digital intervention that is accessible and scalable so that the benefits of improving behavioral outcomes can be attained on a larger scale. Here, we studied the effectiveness of a novel multi‐domain digital cognitive intervention on NPS among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodWe conducted a pilot 10‐week open‐label clinical trial of 30 MCI patients using the NG‐001, a multi‐domain digital intervention. NG‐001 is a digital program which consists of weekly 1‐hour training in several domains: cognitive games; physical exercise; mindfulness (e.g., yoga and meditation); health literacy; and reminiscence therapy. Participants completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and the Mild‐Behavioral Impairment‐Checklist (MBI‐C) at baseline and at the end of the trial. Changes in DASS and MBI‐C scores were assessed using paired Wilcoxon signed ranked tests (two‐tailed) and effect sizes were reported using Hedges’ g.ResultMCI patients showed significant improvements in depression (4.643 vs. 3.214, g = 0.228), anxiety (6.357 vs. 3.786, g = 0.440) and stress (7.786 vs. 5.429, g = 0.356) scores as measured by DASS with NG‐001 intervention (Figure 1). MCI patients also showed significant improvements in MBI‐C total scores (3.29 vs. 1.43, g = 0.47), the apathy sub‐domain scores (0.96 vs. 0.21, g = 0.54), and the affect sub‐domain scores (1.25 vs. 0.43, g = 0.47) with NG‐001 intervention (Figure 2). Importantly, there was high compliance among the participants who completed the full 10‐week intervention.ConclusionA 10‐week multi‐domain digital intervention with NG‐001 reduces the severity of NPS among MCI patients. A longer trial with a control arm is needed to further determine the efficacy of NG‐001 for NPS among MCI patients.