Effects Of Cognitive Training Program Research Articles

Transferability and sustainability of process-based multi-task adaptive cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive training shows promising effects for improving cognitive domains in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including the crucial predictive factor of executive function (EF) for dementia prognosis. Few studies have paid sufficient emphasis on the training-induced effects of cognitive training programs, particularly with regards to targeting EF. A process-based multi-task adaptive cognitive training (P-bM-tACT) program targeting EF is required to examine direct, transfer, and sustainability effects in older adults with MCI.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the direct effects of a P-bM-tACT program on EF, the transfer effects on untrained cognitive domains, and further explore the sustainability of training gains for older adults with MCI in the community.MethodsIn a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 92 participants with MCI were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, participating in a P-bM-tACT program (3 training sessions/week, 60 min/session for 10 weeks) or the wait-list control group, accepting a health education program on MCI (1 education session/ twice a week, 40–60 min/session for 10 weeks). The direct and transfer effects of the P-bM-tACT program were assessed at baseline, immediately after 10 weeks of training, and the 3-month follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of variance and a simple effect test were used to compare the direct and transfer effects over the 3-time points between the two groups.ResultsThe P-bM-tACT program yielded a greater benefit of direct and transfer effects in the intervention group participants than in the wait-list control group. Combined with the results of simple effect tests, the direct and transfer effects of participants in the intervention group significantly increased immediately after 10 weeks of training compared to the baseline (F = 14.702 ~ 62.905, p < 0.05), and these effects were maintained at the 3-month follow-up (F = 19.595 ~ 122.22, p < 0.05). Besides, the acceptability of the cognitive training program was established with a high adherence rate of 83.4%.ConclusionsThe P-bM-tACT program exerted positive direct and transfer effects on the improvement of cognitive function, and these effects were sustained for 3 months. The findings provided a viable and potential approach to improving cognitive function in older adults with MCI in the community.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on 09/01/2019 (www.chictr.org.cn; Number Registry: ChiCTR1900020585).

Effects of Cognitive Training Program in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

"Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological developmental condition significantly inappropriate development in social interaction, social communication, and repetitive patterns of behaviors, which may often persist in the person’s entire life. The present study aims to ascertain the effect of cognitive training program to improve the cognitive functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 20 children with autism spectrum disorder were placed in this study. A quasi-experimental single subject pre-post design was used to investigate the effectiveness of the cognitive training program to improve the child’s cognitive functioning. The Color progressive matrices test of intelligence was used to measure the child’s IQ, and the Indian Assessment of Autism Scale was used to assess the autism level of the child. The Cognitive Skills Assessment Scale was administered to measure the pre-post assessment of the child’s cognitive functioning. The cognitive training module was administered to the children. It comprised executive functioning, cognitive mental states and central coherence tasks. Total 12 sessions of the cognitive training program were provided to the children. The results showed significant improvement in executive functioning, understanding cognitive mental states, and central coherence. The cognitive skills training program positively influenced the children’s cognitive functioning."

Effects of Cognitive Training Programs on Executive Function in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Background. Autism Spectrum Disorder is often associated with deficits in executive functions (EFs), which is contributing significantly to individuals with ASD’s difficulties in conducting an independent life, particularly considering social skills. Technologies offer promising opportunities to structure EF intervention programs for children on the autistic spectrum. Methods. This study aimed to review the effectiveness of randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies of EF interventions delivered to children and young people (up to 23 years old) with a diagnosis of ASD. A special focus was dedicated to document the effectiveness of computerized and non-computerized cognitive training on (1) EFs and on (2) ASD symptomatology and social skills. Of 2601 studies retrieved, 19 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results. Most of the interventions identified were effective in enhancing EFs and reducing symptoms in children and young people with ASD. Limited evidence is available on their generalization to untrained skills (i.e., social abilities) as well as long-term effects. Conclusions. There is growing evidence for overall effectiveness of EF training, particularly when computerized. However, caution should be taken when interpreting these findings owing to methodological limitations, the minimal number of papers retrieved, and a small samples of included studies.

The Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Older Adults: A Brief Preliminary Report

As one ages, some degree of cognitive decline is expected. Despite this, declines in cognitive abilities and the possibility of dementia is a common concern among older adults. In response to these concerns, a variety of cognitive training programs has been developed that aim to improve or maintain cognitive functioning. Prior literature has shown mixed or limited findings on cognitive changes after implementation of cognitive training. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed for older adults with no to minimal cognitive decline. The current study included 17 participants who engaged in two one-hour cognitive training sessions each week for 12 weeks. Each session required participants to complete activities that targeted the following cognitive domains: attention, visual and verbal memory, visual spatial skills, processing speed and executive functioning, and language. These cognitive domains, along with depression and memory self-efficacy, were assessed prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Small to large effect sizes on the majority of cognitive outcome measures were observed following participation in the program. Small reductions in depressive symptoms were also found. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of a comprehensive cognitive training program for cognitively-intact older adults.

Effects of cognitive training program on brain connectivity in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints and mild cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundCognitive intervention programs have achieved improvements at the behavioral level at different stages of dementia, especially in the preclinical phases, what is not yet clear is the neurophysiological correlate of these improvements, especially at the level of resting brain connectivity. Our objective was to analyze the changes at the neurophysiological level after the application of a cognitive training program in pre‐clinical phases of dementia using high density electroencephalography (hdEEG).MethodAn intrasubject design was applied. All subjects underwent clinical and cognitive measurements and resting state records in a hdEEG at baseline and 3 months later when the cognitive training sessions ended. The final sample was composed of 7 older adults with subjective cognitive complaints (mean age = 62.08, SD = 6.48) and 8 with mild cognitive impairment (mean age = 62.93, SD = 6.75); whom were evaluated with a large neuropsychological battery which include the domains of executive function and memory. Electrophysiological signals were recorded with a high density EEG (160 channels). The cognitive training program lasted 24 sessions distributed in 8 sessions for each cognitive domain (attention, executive function and memory).ResultThe results show a significant improvement of the cognitive domains trained and a greater clustering and a more efficient processing of the default brain network. These changes seem to be associated with greater efficiency in information processing and a reduction in random physiological activation in preclinical stages of dementiaConclusionThese programs show clear evidence of changes at the brain level due to cognitive intervention, it is recommended to do follow‐up studies to assess their stability over time.

Controlling for Placebo Effects in Computerized Cognitive Training Studies With Healthy Older Adults From 2016-2018: Systematic Review.

BackgroundComputerized cognitive training has been proposed as a potential solution to age-related cognitive decline. However, published findings from evaluation studies of cognitive training games, including metastudies and systematic reviews, provide evidence both for and against transferability from trained tasks to untrained cognitive ability. There continues to be no consensus on this issue from the scientific community. Some researchers have proposed that the number of results supporting the efficacy of cognitive training may be inflated due to placebo effects. It has been suggested that placebo effects need to be better controlled by using an active control and measuring participant expectations for improvement in outcome measures.ObjectiveThis review examined placebo control methodology for recent evaluation studies of computerized cognitive training programs with older adult subjects, specifically looking for the use of an active control and measurement of expectations.MethodsData were extracted from PubMed. Evaluation studies of computerized cognitive training with older adult subjects (age ≥50 years) published between 2016 and 2018 were included. Methods sections of studies were searched for (1) control type (active or passive) and subtype (active: active-ingredient or similar-form; passive: no-contact or passive-task); (2) if expectations were measured, how were they measured, and whether they were used in analysis; and (3) whether researchers acknowledged a lack of active control and lack of expectation measurement as limitations (where appropriate).ResultsOf the 19 eligible studies, 4 (21%) measured expectations, and 9 (47%) included an active control condition, all of which were of the similar-form type. The majority of the studies (10/19, 53%) used only a passive control. Of the 9 studies that found results supporting the efficacy of cognitive training, 5 were for far transfer effects. Regarding the limitations, due to practical considerations, the search was limited to one source (PubMed) and to search results only. The search terms may have been too restrictive. Recruitment methods were not analyzed, although this aspect of research may play a critical role in systematically forming groups with different expectations for improvement. The population was limited to healthy older adults, while evaluation studies include other populations and cognitive training types, which may exhibit better or worse placebo control than the studies examined in this review.ConclusionsPoor placebo control was present in 47% (9/19) of the reviewed studies; however, the studies still published results supporting the effectiveness of cognitive training programs. Of these positive results, 5 were for far transfer effects, which form the basis for broad claims by cognitive training game makers about the scientific validity of their product. For a minimum level of placebo control, future evaluation studies should use a similar-form active control and administer a questionnaire to participants at the end of the training period about their own perceptions of improvement. Researchers are encouraged to think of more methods for the valid measure of expectations at other time points in the training.

Cognitive training in adults with intellectual disability: pilot study applying a cognitive tele-rehabilitation program

Introduction This pilot study analyzes the effect of a cognitive training program in adults with intellectual disability (ID). Method Twenty subjects (mean age 52.7 ± 9.77 years) with mild and moderate ID were divided in control and experimental group. Only the experimental group received the training program. This program was applied through the GNPT® (Guttmann, NeuroPersonalTrainer®) platform for people with ID. Results The results revealed a significant improvement in the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 scores (Matrices subtest) in the experimental group [Z = 2.12; p = .03] after the intervention, indicating an enhancement in fluid ability due to effect of cognitive training program. Conclusion Findings provide evidence of the importance of applying these programs in a systematized way in adults with ID.

The effectiveness of cognitive training on improving cognitive function and sleep quality in community-dwelling elderly in Iran.

Background and aimGiven the ever-increasing of the older adults population and in order to achieve healthy and active ageing goals and improvement in the cognitive function and sleep quality in older adult, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of cognitive training program on improving cognitive function and ageing-related sleep quality in community-dwelling elderly in Iran, in 2018.MethodsThis was an experimental study. The sample comprised 420 older adults who were a member of the comprehensive health center in one of the southern cities of Iran. 164 had a cognitive problem and sleep disorder, of whom 108 were selected by the available method and based on inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=54) and a control group (n=54). Experimental group samples were undergoing the intervention for two months. Data were collected using MMSE questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality, insomnia severity index and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). Data were collected one month before-and-after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the mean score of cognitive function and sleep quality in both the intervention group and the control group before the intervention (p>0.05). At the post-test, the mean (SD) of elderly adults’ cognitive function in the intervention and control groups were 2.7 (1.3) and 3.44 (1.7), respectively (p=0.017). Moreover, the mean (SD) of sleep quality in older adults in the intervention and the control group was 6.76 (2.3) and 9.25 (2.36), respectively (p<0.001).ConclusionGiven the obtained results in the current study the cognitive training promotes cognitive function and sleep quality in older adults. Therefore, since this program is effective, low-cost and applicable, it can be used to improve cognitive function and sleep disorder in the older adult population.

The Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial

Objective: This pilot investigation evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program for older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods: A sample of 23 individuals were randomly assigned to either a 24-session cognitive training program or a wait-list control group. Cognitive training sessions required participants to complete activities that targeted the following cognitive domains: attention, visual and verbal memory, visual spatial skills, processing speed, executive functioning, and language. A battery of cognitive tests were administered prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Depression, quality of life, agitated behavior, and daily functioning were also assessed. Results: Small to large effect sizes on half of the cognitive outcome measures were observed following participation in the program. No positive effects were found with regard to non-cognitive outcomes. Discussion: These results warrant further investigation into the benefits of this cognitive training program in larger randomized control trials. Clinical Implications: The cognitive training program may provide activity staff in assisted living or memory care settings a highly structured, manualized, and user-friendly intervention for older adults experiencing cognitive decline.

Elderly Individuals with Diabetes: Adding Cognitive Training to Psychoeducational Intervention

The present research examined the effects of a cognitive training program combined with psychoeducational intervention for diabetic elderly patients. Specifically, it aimed at assessing the effects of an eight-session cognitive training and educational program in diabetic elderly individuals and investigating changes in their awareness about specific aspects of diabetes. The final sample consisted of 34 individuals—19 in the experimental group (EG) and 15 in the control group (CG), all residing in the eastern region of the city of São Paulo. The protocol included clinical and sociodemographic questions; the Diabetes Attitudes Questionnaire (ATT-19); Diabetes Knowledge Scale (DKN-A); Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); Verbal Fluency-animal category (VF); Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); Short Cognitive Performance Test (SKT); and the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT). Results pointed to a significant difference between the two groups for the ATT-19, DKN, and SKT- memory and SKT-total, and a marginally significant difference for the RBMT history in the posttest. As for the remaining cognitive variables, no changes were observed. Retest effects were not observed in the CG. We concluded that cognitive training combined with psychoeducational intervention in diabetic elderly individuals may be effective in producing cognitive gains as well as attitude and knowledge improvement concerning diabetes mellitus (DM).

Short-Term Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effects of a cognitive training program on cognitive function and neurochemistry changes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Ten individuals with aMCI were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. The experimental group took part in an 18-session cognitive training program over a 6-week period. After completing the cognitive training course, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in memory, attention, and executive functions. With respect to the neurochemistry biomarkers, the myoinositol/creatine (mI/Cr) ratio was significantly decreased in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex of the experimental group after training. Findings demonstrate that the cognitive training program showed promising evidence in improving cognitive functions in individuals with aMCI. The observed cognitive function improvement was accompanied by a decrease of mI levels.

Cognitive Remediation in the Early Course of Schizophrenia: A Critical Review

The aim of cognitive remediation is to target the cognitive impairments of patients with psychosis, including attentional deficits, memory problems, and limitations in planning and problem solving. It is hoped that by addressing these deficits, patients will be more able to take advantage of other interventions and will be more able to function in social and other domains. Many results in controlled trials of cognitive remediation in adult patients affected by schizophrenia have demonstrated its effectiveness on different cognitive domains and on patient's functioning. Some researchers speculate that deficits in cognition are more amenable to remediation during earlier phases of illness than when chronicity has developed. For these reasons cognitive rehabilitation should be a key component of early intervention programs, seeking to produce durable functional changes in the early course of schizophrenia. Although there is strong evidence that cognitive remediation is effective in adult schizophrenia, there is little evidence about its efficacy and long-term generalized effectiveness in the early course of the disease, and its possible application in the prodromal phase of the disease. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on cognitive remediation in the prodromal phase and in the early course of schizophrenia. This review summarizes especially findings of cognitive changes induced in the early course or in the prodromal phases of schizophrenia by different remediation methods. Controlled studies of cognitive training are discussed in more detail. Few studies on the effects of cognitive training programs have been conducted in first episode or in early schizophrenia and only one study has been conducted in the prodromal phase of the disease. Although preliminary positive results have been achieved, more empirical research is needed to confirm the efficacy of cognitive remediation in the early course of schizophrenia, and future studies should address the issue of the usefulness of cognitive remediation in the prodromes of psychosis.

Cognitive deficits and cognitive training in schizophrenic patients: a review.

The aim of this paper is to review the current status of knowledge of cognitive deficits and remediation in patients with schizophrenia. Relevant reports were identified by a literature survey. In addition, some outstanding researchers in these areas were asked to add to the identified list relevant literature that was not included. Our review focuses on the cognitive deficits observed in the areas of attention, memory and executive functions. We attempt to classify dysfunctions as vulnerability- or symptom-linked factors, and we discuss the methodological question of a general performance deficit vs. a differential deficit. Furthermore, we briefly delineate how antipsychotics affect cognitive functions. Finally, controlled studies of cognitive training are discussed in more detail. The most outstanding cognitive dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia can be related to the areas of attention, memory and executive functions. Interest in cognitive remediation has to some extent been rekindled in the 1990s. However, few studies on the effects of cognitive training programs have been conducted.