Online Cognitive Training Research Articles

Online training program maintains motor functions and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

ObjectiveSeveral systematic reviews have shown that physical exercise positively affects motor function (MF) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). After the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous studies were conducted to reveal the effects of telerehabilitation for patients with PD. However, only a few empirical results of online programs for PD patients have been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of an online physical and cognitive training program on MF and QoL in patients with PD.MethodsWe evaluated the impact of our online program on the QoL and MF of patients with PD by comparing data at baseline and after six months of intervention. For the QoL assessment, we used the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), whereas, for MF, we measured movement status using the modified 20-m walk test and timed up-and-go (TUG) test.ResultsWe enrolled 20 patients for QoL and 19 for MF in this study. For PDQ-39, social support (p = 0.046, δ = 0.320) and cognitions (p = 0.028, δ = 0.268) significantly improved. Additionally, cadence (p = 0.032, g = −0.377) in the modified 20-m walk and exam duration (p = 0.003, δ = 0.296) and forward gait (p = 0.003, δ = 0.341) in the TUG test showed significant differences before and after the intervention.ConclusionOur results suggest that online physical and cognitive training programs positively affect MF and QoL in individuals with PD.

Is game-based therapy effective for treating cognitive deficits in adults with schizophrenia? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are a major contributor to poor functional outcomes and everyday functioning, making them a promising therapeutic target. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of digital interventions, such as game-based therapy, targeting various domains of cognition to treat mental disorders. Game-based digital interventions have been suggested to have therapeutic value in health care for people with schizophrenia. To support this idea, a novel, online training program (Komori Life) that targets cognitive deficits in schizophrenia was tested for feasibility of use and initial efficiency. Inpatients with schizophrenia were randomized to complete 20 sessions of either Komori Life (N = 40 completers) or treatment as usual (N = 40 completers). Cognitive and clinical assessments were performed at enrollment and after completion of the training intervention for all patients. In addition, 32 healthy volunteers were recruited as controls, and an eye-tracking paradigm was employed to assess attentional biases to emotional information before and after game intervention for all subjects. The results showed that there were no group differences in cognitive or clinical assessments at baseline between the two patient groups. After game training, there were still no group × time interactions on cognitive or clinical assessment scores. Regarding eye movement measurements, both patient groups showed increased attention to threatening stimuli compared to healthy controls in terms of attentional maintenance at baseline. After game training, the game training group revealed greater improvement in attentional bias towards threatening scenes (decreased percentage of total duration and percentage of total fixations towards threatening stimuli) relative to the treatment as usual group. Moreover, our results partially indicated that training effectiveness was associated with cognitive improvement and that heightened attentional maintenance to threats was associated with worse cognitive performance. This study provides initial evidence that a remote, online cognitive training program is feasible and effective in improving cognitive function in schizophrenia. This form of training may serve as a complementary therapy to existing psychiatric care. Clinical trial registration: the trial is registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100048403.

Randomised controlled trial of an online cognitive training program in school-aged children with cerebral palsy

BackgroundChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience deficits in nonverbal reasoning. The SMART online cognitive intervention has been associated with gains in IQ and nonverbal IQ in previous studies in typically developing school-aged children and children experiencing learning difficulties. AimTo assess the efficacy of an online cognitive intervention in school-aged children with CP. Methods and Procedures21 children with CP (male n = 17; 76.2%), mean age 9 y 8 m, SD 1 y 1 month (range 8 y 3 m to 12 y 6 m) were randomised into the intervention group (n = 9) or a waitlist control group. A mixed-methods approach with an explanatory sequential design was used, with a randomised controlled trial followed by qualitative interviews. Participants were assessed on measures of intelligence, academic ability, attention and executive functioning, and social-emotional functioning at baseline, then after completing the training, or the waitlist period. Analyses included ANCOVAs and paired samples t tests. Semi-structured interviews explored participants’ experiences with the training. Results and OutcomesTraining completion was low with a mean of 16.9 modules completed out of 55 available. No significant effect of training was found for the primary outcome of intelligence, or for any secondary outcomes. Participants reported barriers and facilitators for accessing the program. ImplicationsCognitive training programs addressing relational framing ability may require significant modifications before they can be effectively tested with children with CP.

Cognitive-enhanced eHealth psychosocial stepped intervention for managing breast cancer-related cognitive impairment: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Breast cancer often leads to cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which includes both objective and subjective cognitive deficits. While psychosocial interventions benefit quality of life and distress reduction, their impact on cognitive deficits is uncertain. This study evaluates the integration of a cognitive module into a digital psychosocial intervention for breast cancer patients. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), 88 recently diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients will receive the ICOnnecta't program (control group) - a digital stepped intervention addressing a variety of psychosocial needs. The experimental group (n = 88) will receive ICOnnecta't plus a cognitive module. Assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months will measure the interventions' impact on cognition, emotional distress, medication adherence, quality of life, post-traumatic stress, work functioning and healthcare experience. Feasibility and cost-utility analyses will also be conducted. The cognitive module includes three levels. The first level contains a cognitive screening using FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI). Patients with PCI <54 progress to a cognitive psychoeducational campus (Level 2) with content on cognitive education, behavioural strategies and mindfulness. Patients with persistent or worsened PCI (≥6) after 3 months move to Level 3, an online cognitive training through CogniFit software delivered twice a week over 12 weeks. This study assesses whether integrating a cognitive module into a digital psychosocial intervention improves objective and subjective cognition in breast cancer patients. Secondary outcomes explore cognitive improvement's impact on psychosocial variables. The research will contribute to testing efficacious approaches for detecting and addressing cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer patients. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06103318. Registered 26 October 2023, https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06103318?term=serra-blasco&draw=2&rank=4.

Chronotype and emotion processing: a pilot study testing timing of online cognitive bias modification training

BackgroundCircadian rhythms influence cognitive performance which peaks in the morning for early chronotypes and evening for late chronotypes. It is unknown whether cognitive interventions are susceptible to such synchrony effects...

Cognitive Auditory Training: Comparative Impact of Telerehabilitation and In-person Training

Abstract Background: Cognitive auditory approach has been shown effective in assessment and intervention with children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD). Objective: To compare the intervention methods: telerehabilitation for synchronous auditory training through an Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program, with the traditional rehabilitation method, called acoustically controlled auditory training, carried out in person in an acoustic booth. Methods: The sample included 23 children between the ages of 7 and 9, of both genders, living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, who were divided into two groups: Group I - 13 children undergoing telerehabilitation and Group II - 10 children undergoing auditory training in an acoustic booth. The instruments used were: i) Pediatric Speech Intelligibility (PSI) test in the ipsilateral competitive messages (ICM condition); ii) Digit Dichotic (DD) in binaural integration and separation skills test in auditory separation and integration skills. Results: In this study the following results were: a) there were statistically significant differences in the performance of children who underwent telerehabilitation for CAPD, revealing the reliability of the method, b) there were statistically significant differences both in the effect of auditory training carried out through telerehabilitation and in the effect of auditory training carried out in person, proving that the effectiveness of the two methods is equivalent, c) there were statistically significant differences in the performance of school-age students with CAPD who used the Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program, showing that the cognitive auditory approach is effective in intervention with children with CAPD. Conclusion: There is efficacy in cognitive auditory training through the telerehabilitation intervention. Results shown that intervention through the Online Cognitive Auditory Training Program support student learning and communication skills. Keywords: Auditory Processing, Cognitive Auditory Training, Telerehabilitation, Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD).

Older Adults Catch Up to Younger Adults on Cognitive Tasks After Extended Training

Cognitive decline often accompanies natural aging, which results in younger adults outperforming older adults, on average, on cognitive tasks requiring skills such as attention, memory, or reasoning. This performance gap between age groups persists even after people train on these tasks, but it remains unclear whether the gap persists when individuals, rather than groups, are compared at different training levels. In this paper, we analyzed 9,923 users between 18-90 years old (63% over 60) who performed a variety of cognitive tasks on an online cognitive training platform. We quantified an older adult’s potential to catch up to, or perform as well as, a younger adult. We found that the probability of catching up to someone decades younger increases with differential amounts of training on a variety of cognitive tasks. These findings suggest that age-related performance deficits can be overcome with additional training.

Reduction in sugar drink valuation and consumption with gamified executive control training

The overvaluation of high-energy, palatable food cues contributes to unhealthy eating and being overweight. Reducing the valuation of unhealthy food may thus constitute a powerful lever to improve eating habits and conditions characterized by unhealthy eating. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized intervention trial assessing the efficacy of a five to twenty days online cognitive training intervention to reduce sugary drink perceived palatability and consumption. Our intervention involved a recently identified action-to-valuation mechanism of action, in which the repeated inhibition of prepotent motor responses to hedonic food cues in a Go/NoGo (GNG) and an attentional bias modification (ABM) task eventually reduces their valuation and intake. Confirming our hypotheses, the experimental intervention with consistent (100%) mapping between motor inhibition and the targeted unhealthy sugary drinks cues induced a larger decrease in their valuation than the control intervention with inconsistent (50%) mapping (− 27.6% vs. − 19%), and a larger increase of the (water) items associated with response execution (+ 11% vs + 4.2%). Exploratory analyses suggest that the effect of training on unhealthy items valuation may persist for at least one month. Against our hypothesis, we observed equivalent reductions in self-reported consumption of sugary drinks following the two interventions (exp: − 27% vs. ctrl: − 19%, BF01 = 4.7), suggesting a dose-independent effect of motor inhibition on self-reported consumption. Our collective results corroborate the robustness and large size of the devaluation effects induced by response inhibition on palatable items, but challenge the assumption of a linear relationship between such effects and the actual consumption of the target items.Protocol registrationThe stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 30/03/2021. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5ESMP.

Cognitive Training Improves Joint Stiffness Regulation and Function in ACLR Patients Compared to Healthy Controls.

As cognitive function is critical for muscle coordination, cognitive training may also improve neuromuscular control strategy and knee function following an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this case-control study was to examine the effects of cognitive training on joint stiffness regulation in response to negative visual stimuli and knee function following ACLR. A total of 20 ACLR patients and 20 healthy controls received four weeks of online cognitive training. Executive function, joint stiffness in response to emotionally evocative visual stimuli (neutral, fearful, knee injury related), and knee function outcomes before and after the intervention were compared. Both groups improved executive function following the intervention (p = 0.005). The ACLR group had greater mid-range stiffness in response to fearful (p = 0.024) and injury-related pictures (p = 0.017) than neutral contents before the intervention, while no post-intervention stiffness differences were observed among picture types. The ACLR group showed better single-legged hop for distance after cognitive training (p = 0.047), while the healthy group demonstrated no improvement. Cognitive training enhanced executive function, which may reduce joint stiffness dysregulation in response to emotionally arousing images and improve knee function in ACLR patients, presumably by facilitating neural processing necessary for neuromuscular control.

Interventions to improve neurocognitive late-effects in pediatric and adolescent CNS tumor patients and survivors - a systematic review.

Survival of children and adolescents diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) tumors massively improved over the last decades due to better diagnostics, treatment, and supportive care. However, morbidity is still the highest of all cancer entities in this age group with neurocognitive late-effects being one of the most severe. With this systematic review, we aim to summarize interventions designed to prevent or improve neurocognitive late-effects in CNS tumor patients. We searched PubMed on August 16th 2022 and included publications studying interventions for neurocognitive late-effects in pediatric and adolescent patients and survivors diagnosed with a CNS tumor. We included any form of neurocognitive intervention during treatment or following treatment completion. We considered all types of studies except for expert opinions and case reports. The literature search resulted in 735 publications. We included 43 publications in the full text screening and 14 met our inclusion criteria. Of those, two assessed the impact of pharmacological interventions, three of exercise interventions, five of online cognitive training, and four assessed behavioral interventions. Different neuropsychological test batteries and imaging were used to measure the impact of the respective interventions. Most studies showed a positive impact of the interventions in single to several of the subtests used. We found several intervention studies indicating improvement of neurocognitive problems in children and adolescent CNS tumor survivors. In this population exercise interventions or online cognitive training might mitigate or improve neurocognitive late-effects.

Evaluation of a sensory and cognitive online training tool for odor recognition in professional coffee tasters

AbstractThe sense of smell plays an essential role in the sensory evaluation of coffee. However, a precise sensory evaluation also requires good memory and the ability to stay focused and concentrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an online sensory and cognitive training program on the odor recognition of 36 coffee aromas. A total of 44 coffee professionals participated in a randomized crossover trial. It consisted of an online training program with different sensory and cognitive tasks over two periods of 6 weeks. The participants were divided into three study groups for data analysis purposes: a Control‐first group (n = 16), a matching Intervention‐first group (n = 16), and a second Intervention‐first‐residual group (n = 12) to check for repeatability of the test results. On average, the participants improved their odor recognition score by 15% after 6 weeks of training (p &lt; .01) and maintained a high‐performance level after the control period. A positive correlation between completed training and improvement was observed (p &lt; .001). The participants significantly improved their ability to detect the 36 Le Nez du Café aromas commonly used in the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) exam systems.Practical ApplicationsThe new online training program is a promising tool for improving the odor recognition of coffee professionals. The sensory training can easily be accomplished as it is executable off‐site, is self‐instructive, and does not require any supervision. A further generalization of this new odor‐training program for noncoffee professionals may potentially train people with prolonged loss in olfactory function, such as observed in coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Combination of transcranial direct current stimulation with online cognitive training improves symptoms of Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19: a case series

Combination of transcranial direct current stimulation with online cognitive training improves symptoms of Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19: a case series

Linking computational models of two core tasks of cognitive control.

Cognitive control refers to the ability to maintain goal-relevant information in the face of distraction, making it a core construct for understanding human thought and behavior. There is great theoretical and practical value in building theories that can be used to explain or to predict variations in cognitive control as a function of experimental manipulations or individual differences. A critical step toward building such theories is determining which latent constructs are shared between laboratory tasks that are designed to measure cognitive control. In the current work, we examine this question in a novel way by formally linking computational models of two canonical cognitive control tasks, the Eriksen flanker and task-switching task. Specifically, we examine whether model parameters that capture cognitive control processes in one task can be swapped across models to make predictions about individual differences in performance on another task. We apply our modeling and analysis to a large scale data set from an online cognitive training platform, which optimizes our ability to detect individual differences in the data. Our results suggest that the flanker and task-switching tasks probe common control processes. This finding supports the view that higher level cognitive control processes as opposed to solely strategies in speed and accuracy tradeoffs, or perceptual processing and motor response speed are shared across the two tasks. We discuss how our computational modeling substitution approach addresses limitations of prior efforts to relate performance across different cognitive control tasks, and how our findings inform current theories of cognitive control. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Pediatric Cognitive Rehabilitation Roadmap

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To provide clinicians with a structured framework for the application of evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation strategies for children with acquired brain injuries across the neurorehabilitation continuum of care. The roadmap aims to provide guidance in the determination of assessments, evidence based therapeutic strategies and goals specific to defined stages of brain recovery. <h3>Design</h3> This proposed roadmap defines four stages of cognitive recovery, including disorders of consciousness, confusional states, cognitive and behavioral dysregulation, and acute cognitive impairment. It provides interdisciplinary assessment tools to identify a patient's current stage, monitor progress, and determine transitions between stages. It also utilizes research from ACRM's cognitive rehabilitation training, along with additional pediatric specific evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions, to guide the selection of cognitive rehabilitation approaches specific to each stage of recovery based on variables such as allowance of errors, types of cues and the timing of feedback necessary for optimal acquisition. To implement this interdisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation program at our hospital, our staff first completed ACRM online cognitive rehabilitation training. We then conducted in-services to train our staff on the use of the roadmap to guide the application of the stage specific assessments and strategies within our pediatric ABI population. <h3>Setting</h3> Blythedale Children's Hospital (inpatient and day hospital neurorehabilitation program). <h3>Participants</h3> Pediatric ABI patients admitted to our hospital. <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> N/A. <h3>Results</h3> This roadmap has assisted in individualized treatment planning, school accommodations, and transition planning, along with improvement in interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. It also resulted in clearer guidelines for families and schools on how to accommodate students' deficits to improve daily function and adjust plan to foster increased independence over time. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This pediatric cognitive therapy roadmap aims to improve overall pediatric cognitive rehabilitation including staff competency, caregiver education, and classroom recommendations. We also hope this tool and its breakdown of the brain injury recovery trajectory into four stages may provide additional prognostic indicators in future research. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> No disclosures to report.

Processing Speed Improvement in Hematologic Cancer Survivors Treated with Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation- a Randomized Online Cognitive Training Intervention

Introduction: Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk of cognitive impairment following allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) when compared with healthy controls. Cognitive deficits persist for at least 3-5 years in 40% of BMT survivors (Sharafeldin et al., J Clin Oncol, 2018); which negatively impacts self-management, relationships, quality of life, societal reintegration and overall survival. There is, thus, an unmet need to test interventions to improve cognitive function in BMT survivors. Here we report on the preliminary efficacy of a randomized wait-listed controlled trial at a single center, using home-based computerized cognitive training, in patients with hematologic malignancy treated with allogeneic BMT. We hypothesized that computerized cognitive training will result in significantly higher cognitive function scores in BMT recipients on the active intervention arm when compared with the waitlist arm. Methods: We prospectively enrolled a cohort of 53 adult (≥21y) allogeneic BMT recipients. Eligible patients were at least 3 months post-BMT at time of enrollment. The intervention used the Lumosity online cognitive training program for 12 weeks. The waitlist arm was offered the training program post-intervention. Cognitive function was measured at baseline and 12 weeks using standardized neuropsychological tests assessing executive function, attention, processing speed and memory cognitive domains. Study personnel were blinded to randomization assignment at time of baseline cognitive assessment. Participants' usage of the program was monitored to measure adherence to the intervention. Feasibility parameters included participation, completion, and attrition rates. We modeled the change in score between baseline and post-intervention by randomization group (active vs waitlist) as the main independent factor adjusted for baseline intervention test score as primary covariate. Models were further adjusted for cognitive reserve, age, sex, race, fatigue, sleep, depression, anxiety, and receipt of radiation. Results: The intervention had a 59% consent rate and a 79% randomization rate, 27 patients were randomized to active arm and 26 to waitlist arm. Mean age was 55y (SD=12.2y), 57.7% males, 84.6% non-Hispanic white; 57.7% with acute leukemia and 23% with myelodysplastic syndrome. Post-randomization attrition rate was 19.7% (17.6% on active arm; 20.5% on waitlist arm). Median adherence on the active arm for patients who completed 12 weeks of training was 87.5%; patients used the program for a median of 4.9 days/week and a median of 10/12 weeks. Compared to waitlist arm, we found improved scores for the active arm in global impairment deficit scores (0.08, SE=0.038, p-value=0.03) and in processing speed T-scores (3.43, SE=1.42, p-value=0.02). Conclusion: Our pilot study provides evidence for the feasibility and high adherence to a home-based cognitive training intervention in BMT survivors. Cognitive training as a compensatory intervention may be most efficacious in improving processing speed, however, additional interventions may be needed to further target other cognitive domains, e.g., executive function, attention, or memory domains.

Is online self-regulatory training effective in weight control? A pilot experiment on adolescence obesity during coronavirus-19 lockdown.

Studies have shown that obesity is associated with decreased executive function. Impaired executive functions lead to poor self-regulation, which in turn may result in persistence of unhealthy behaviors, including eating behaviors, throughout life. Increasing self-regulation in childhood and adolescence has positive effects on creating healthy behaviors such as reducing unnecessary eating and changing unhealthy eating habits. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate an intervention package based on cognitive self-regulation training in changing eating behaviors and reducing obesity in children and adolescents. Fifty-six students with obesity aged 12-16 years participated in the study in three groups (cognitive self-regulation training [CSRT], diet, and control). The CSRT group received twenty 30-min online training sessions with a diet over 10 weeks. The diet group received only a diet with no other intervention, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The results of our 2 × 3 repeated-measures ANOVA showed that the CSRT group had a mean BMI decrease of 2.21 (kg/m2 ) after ten weeks, and 3.24 (kg/m2 ) at the follow-up time. The diet group had a BMI decrease of 0.49 (kg/m2 ) at the ten weeks. In addition, the results showed that the CSRT had a significant reduction in eating behaviors such as external eating and emotional eating. However, the other two groups showed no changes in eating behaviors. Our results show that online cognitive self-regulation training has been effective in weight loss and eating behaviors. This study shows promising evidence for the efficacy of the online CSRT-training as a weight stabilization intervention in children with obesity.

Parallel randomized controlled feasibility trials of the "Active Brains" digital intervention to protect cognitive health in adults aged 60-85.

IntroductionMultidomain interventions to address modifiable risk factors for dementia are promising, but require more cost-effective, scalable delivery. This study investigated the feasibility of the “Active Brains” digital behavior change intervention and its trial procedures.Materials and methodsActive Brains aims to reduce cognitive decline by promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and online cognitive training. We conducted 12-month parallel-design randomized controlled feasibility trials of “Active Brains” amongst “lower cognitive scoring” (n = 180) and “higher cognitive scoring” (n = 180) adults aged 60–85.ResultsWe collected 67.2 and 76.1% of our 12-month primary outcome (Baddeley verbal reasoning task) data for the “lower cognitive score” and “higher cognitive score” groups, respectively. Usage of “Active Brains” indicated overall feasibility and satisfactory engagement with the physical activity intervention content (which did not require sustained online engagement), but engagement with online cognitive training was limited. Uptake of the additional brief telephone support appeared to be higher in the “lower cognitive score” trial. Preliminary descriptive trends in the primary outcome data might indicate a protective effect of Active Brains against cognitive decline, but further investigation in fully-powered trials is required to answer this definitively.DiscussionWhilst initial uptake and engagement with the online intervention was modest, it was in line with typical usage of other digital behavior change interventions, and early indications from the descriptive analysis of the primary outcome and behavioral data suggest that further exploration of the potential protective benefits of Active Brains are warranted. The study also identified minor modifications to procedures, particularly to improve online primary-outcome completion. Further investigation of Active Brains will now seek to determine its efficacy in protecting cognitive performance amongst adults aged 60–85 with varied levels of existing cognitive performance.

Common neuropsychological assessment measures as performance indicators in neuropsychological rehabilitation: An exploratory correlational study

This study aims to identify neuropsychological assessment measures that can better guide the selection and difficulty level adjustment of neuropsychological rehabilitation tasks for patients with acquired brain injury. Eight patients with acquired brain injury were recruited from one rehabilitation institution. The neuropsychological protocol included standard neuropsychological tests targeting attention, memory, and executive functions. After the assessment, the patients enrolled in an intensive online cognitive neuropsychological rehabilitation training program (80 sessions of 49 cognitive training and 31 affective and psychosocial intervention sessions). The association between the assessment results and the training outcomes was measured to explore which measures were better associated with specific training outcomes. This study suggests that the results of specific conventionally administered neuropsychological tests can be good indicators of the patients’ performance in the cognitive training of attention and working memory. On the other hand, none of the tests provided valuable data regarding the patients’ ability to perform the executive functioning training tasks, perhaps because those appeal to everyday situations, which are not adequately represented in the administered tests. More research is needed, especially regarding the executive function.

Effect of eight-week online cognitive training in Parkinson's disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

IntroductionCognitive training (CT) has been proposed as a treatment option for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the efficacy of adaptive, computerized CT on cognitive function in PD. MethodsIn this double-blind, randomized controlled trial we enrolled PD patients that experienced substantial subjective cognitive complaints. Over a period of eight weeks, participants underwent 24 sessions of computerized multi-domain CT or an active control intervention for 45 min each (randomized 1:1). The primary outcome was the accuracy on the Tower of London task; secondary outcomes included effects on other neuropsychological outcomes and subjective cognitive complaints. Outcomes were assessed before and after training and at six-months follow-up, and analyzed with multivariate mixed-model analyses. ResultsThe intention-to-treat population consisted of 136 participants (n = 68 vs. n = 68, age M: 62.9y, female: 39.7%). Multivariate mixed-model analyses showed no group difference on the Tower of London accuracy corrected for baseline performance (n = 130): B: −0.06, 95% CI: −0.27 to 0.15, p = 0.562. Participants in the CT group were on average 0.30 SD (i.e., 1.5 s) faster on difficulty load 4 of this task (secondary outcome): 95% CI: −0.55 to −0.06, p = 0.015. CT did not reduce subjective cognitive complaints. At follow-up, no group differences were found. ConclusionsThis study shows no beneficial effect of eight-week computerized CT on the primary outcome (i.e., planning accuracy) and only minor improvements on secondary outcomes (i.e., processing speed) with limited clinical impact. Personalized or ecologically valid multi-modal intervention methods could be considered to achieve clinically meaningful and lasting effects.

Development of an online cognitive training program for healthy older adults: an occupational therapy intervention

Resumo Introdução Com base no envelhecimento natural e suas características no que se refere à cognição e às especificidades da terapia ocupacional, o treino cognitivo apresenta-se como estratégia de promoção da saúde para favorecer o engajamento em ocupações e, principalmente, melhorar ou manter as habilidades cognitivas, que podem sofrer declínio conforme o indivíduo envelhece. Objetivo Descrever um programa de treino cognitivo on-line quanto ao seu formato e atividades que o compõem, bem como analisar as percepções dos idosos participantes e das discentes envolvidas em seu desenvolvimento. Método Estudo qualitativo de delineamento exploratório. Foram elaboradas tarefas cognitivas distribuídas em 24 sessões de treino individual on-line, multidomínio, com duração de 90 minutos cada. Foram utilizadas atividades com lápis e papel e a intervenção foi adaptada e graduada de acordo com o ritmo dos participantes. Os 21 idosos que receberam o treino foram avaliados, pré- e pós-intervenção, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e foram confeccionados diários de campo. Resultados Após a intervenção, os idosos participantes relataram uso de diferentes estratégias compensatórias internas e externas e apontaram melhora na percepção de qualidade de vida e do desempenho ocupacional. As discentes puderam envolver-se na construção de um protocolo de treino cognitivo durante o período de pandemia, com superação de barreiras no âmbito do teleatendimento, buscando através dele favorecer o desempenho funcional e cognitivo dos participantes para o envelhecimento saudável. Conclusão Os resultados apontaram efeitos positivos do treino cognitivo para os participantes, mas ainda há necessidade de refinamento do protocolo para se atingir melhores resultados. A análise das atividades aplicadas mostrou-se fundamental para sistematizar as sessões e acompanhar o desempenho dos participantes.