Cognitive Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Neurological conditions, Alcohol abuse, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a cognitive training group in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment, using a new paradigm that will optimize ecological validity by (1) focusing on everyday memory problems, (2) supplementing traditional memory training with the teaching of an empirically-supported problem-solving approach, and (3) employing a clinically representative sample of individuals with MCI (e.g., not excluding those with mild affective symptoms).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cognitive training, Cognitive therapy, Cognitive behavioral training, Neurocognitive training for Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Research suggests that cognitive training can help improve thinking skills and delay further decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Some studies have shown benefits in both cognitive and social functions, although the certainty of these findings is still being explored. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is cognitive training safe for humans?

Research suggests that cognitive training is generally safe for older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is cognitive training different from other treatments for mild cognitive impairment?

Cognitive training is unique because it uses specific mental exercises to improve brain function and delay cognitive decline, leveraging the brain's ability to adapt and change (neuroplasticity). Unlike medications, which have not been very successful for mild cognitive impairment, cognitive training focuses on enhancing memory and cognitive skills through targeted activities, often using computer programs. ^{1 8 9 10 11}

Research Team

Karen A Chipman, PhD

Principal Investigator

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for seniors with a clinical diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment. It's designed to help those who struggle with everyday memory problems and may also have mild mood-related symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a neurological condition that affects my thinking.

I have been diagnosed with dementia.

History of alcohol or drug abuse

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Cognitive Training

Participants undergo cognitive training focusing on everyday memory problems and problem-solving approaches

8 months

Regular group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mood, caregiver burden, memory testing, and quality of life

3 months

Assessments at months 3, 5, and 8

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cognitive training

Trial Overview The study tests a cognitive training program focused on improving daily memory issues in seniors with Mild Cognitive Impairment. The program includes traditional memory exercises and problem-solving techniques.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cognitive training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: No cognitive training Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Lead Sponsor

Trials

302

Recruited

95,300+

Karen Chipman

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

15

Recruited

34,100+

Findings from Research

The MEMO+ study is a randomized controlled trial involving 162 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive training and psychosocial interventions over an eight-week period.

The study aims to measure both immediate and long-term effects on cognitive function and daily living skills, potentially leading to improved well-being for individuals with MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring the impact of cognitive and psychosocial interventions in persons with mild cognitive impairment with a randomized single-blind controlled trial: rationale and design of the MEMO+ study. Bier, N., Grenier, S., Brodeur, C., et al.[2022]

Cognitive Training (CT) in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's Disease (AD) showed variable effects on brain structure and function, with some studies indicating increased cortical thickness and grey matter volumes, but no changes in hippocampal volumes.

The review included 19 studies, highlighting significant heterogeneity and variable quality, suggesting that while CT may lead to changes in brain activation and connectivity, more robust research is needed to clearly link these changes to clinical improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuroimaging Outcomes in Studies of Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Beishon, L., Intharakham, K., Swienton, D., et al.[2021]

Cognitive training (CT) was found to be feasible and acceptable for both healthy older adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, with 37 participants providing positive feedback after 12 weeks of training.

Participants reported several benefits from CT, including enjoyment and improved cognitive awareness, but also faced barriers such as technology issues and emotional challenges, particularly those with dementia, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in future implementations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Analysis of the Cognition and Flow (CoGFlowS) Study: An Individualized Approach to Cognitive Training for Dementia Is Needed. Beishon, L., Haunton, V., Subramaniam, H., et al.[2021]

Home-based Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) tailored to individual needs significantly improved cognitive functions such as memory and learning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mood-related neuropsychiatric symptoms (MrNPS) over an 8-12 week period.

Participants in the CCT group not only showed enhanced cognitive performance but also reported improved mood and reduced caregiver burden compared to those in the active control group, indicating broader benefits beyond just cognitive outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tailored and Adaptive Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults at Risk for Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Bahar-Fuchs, A., Webb, S., Bartsch, L., et al.[2022]

Cognitive training significantly improves memory in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with benefits lasting for at least 6 months after the training.

Participants who underwent cognitive training not only showed improved memory scores but also effectively applied learned strategies in their daily lives, unlike those in psychosocial or control groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MEMO+: Efficacy, Durability and Effect of Cognitive Training and Psychosocial Intervention in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Belleville, S., Hudon, C., Bier, N., et al.[2022]

Cognitive training has been shown to significantly improve subjective cognitive function and certain objective cognitive skills, such as working memory and episodic memory, in breast cancer patients experiencing cognitive changes, based on a systematic review of 9 randomized controlled trials involving 666 patients.

Despite these improvements, cognitive training did not lead to significant changes in attention, short-term memory, executive function, or psychological outcomes like anxiety and depression, indicating that while cognitive training can be beneficial, it may not address all cognitive and emotional challenges faced by these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of cognitive training on patients with breast cancer reporting cognitive changes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Yan, X., Wei, S., Liu, Q.[2023]

Computerized cognitive training (CCT) shows moderate efficacy in improving overall cognition and specific cognitive domains in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, based on a review of 17 trials.

In individuals with dementia, CCT has limited evidence of efficacy, primarily influenced by a few trials using immersive technologies like virtual reality, indicating a need for further research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hill, NT., Mowszowski, L., Naismith, SL., et al.[2022]

A study involving 71 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) found that all three formats of language training (computer, paper/pencil, and oral) significantly improved cognitive abilities compared to control groups over 48 sessions across 6 months.

Participants in the experimental groups showed enhancements in cognitive abilities and daily functioning, while control groups did not show any improvement, indicating the effectiveness of structured cognitive training for MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparative Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial With Language Training in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Poptsi, E., Lazarou, I., Markou, N., et al.[2020]

Cognitive training, particularly through cognitive exercises, shows moderate to large beneficial effects on memory outcomes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), based on a systematic review of 10 studies involving 305 subjects.

The review highlights that previous studies may have underestimated the efficacy of cognitive training due to unclear definitions of interventions, emphasizing the need for more high-quality randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive and memory training in adults at risk of dementia: a systematic review. Gates, NJ., Sachdev, PS., Fiatarone Singh, MA., et al.[2023]

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of home-based computerized cognitive training (CCT) in improving cognitive abilities in 100 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over 12 weeks, with follow-up booster sessions for up to 78 weeks.

The trial aims to assess not only cognitive improvements but also changes in brain structure and function, specifically looking at hippocampal volume and the default mode network, using MRI scans, making it a comprehensive approach to understanding the impact of CCT on MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive training and neuroplasticity in mild cognitive impairment (COG-IT): protocol for a two-site, blinded, randomised, controlled treatment trial. D'Antonio, J., Simon-Pearson, L., Goldberg, T., et al.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring the impact of cognitive and psychosocial interventions in persons with mild cognitive impairment with a randomized single-blind controlled trial: rationale and design of the MEMO+ study. [2022]

2. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuroimaging Outcomes in Studies of Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. [2021]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Analysis of the Cognition and Flow (CoGFlowS) Study: An Individualized Approach to Cognitive Training for Dementia Is Needed. [2021]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tailored and Adaptive Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults at Risk for Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

MEMO+: Efficacy, Durability and Effect of Cognitive Training and Psychosocial Intervention in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of cognitive training on patients with breast cancer reporting cognitive changes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of an Innovative Cognitive Treatment and Telerehabilitation on Subjects With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter, Randomized, Active-Controlled Study. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparative Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial With Language Training in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment. [2020]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive and memory training in adults at risk of dementia: a systematic review. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive training and neuroplasticity in mild cognitive impairment (COG-IT): protocol for a two-site, blinded, randomised, controlled treatment trial. [2020]