Outcomes of a Cognitive Management Program (CMP) for an Individual with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder at Risk of Developing Alzheimer

Abstract

Individuals with mild neurocognitive disorder (mild-NCD) may suffer from one or a range of mild neurocognitive dysfunctions that disturb their daily life routines. This study tested the outcomes of an author-compiled cognitive management program (CMP) on a patient at the risk of developing Alzheimer. The CMP comprised a careful diagnostic procedure, a multi-dimensional cognitive assessment of the participant's cognitive functioning, and a series of cognitive rehabilitation procedures. A 59-year old woman (diagnosed based on DSM-5 and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R)) was included in the study. The participant's cognitive rehabilitation program consisted of a face-to-face training for twelve sessions and a daily homework-based training (35 days). The participant was tested at the baseline, at the end of the rehabilitation procedure, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. To measure memory, attention, executive function, language, and reasoning abilities the following tests were administered: (a) Forward and Backward Digit Span Test; (b) Rey Complex Figure Test; (c) Continuous Performance Test; (d) Color-Word Interference; (e) Verbal Fluency; (f) Trial Making Test; (g) Symbol Digit Modality Test; and (h) The Twenty Questions Test and the Word Context Test. The Mean Percentage Improvement (MPI) index suggested improvements in the participant's scores for ACE-R subscales, memory, attention, language, executive functions, and reasoning and persistent improvements in the Word Context Test (55% at post-test and 63% at follow-up) and Rey Complex Figure Test (33% at the post-test and 47% at the follow-up). The results suggest that the CMP could improve the overall cognitive functioning of the participant.