Memory Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Nancy Moore

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kessler Foundation

Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Stroke, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

Duration: 5 weeks

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether memory retraining exercises can improve memory and daily functioning for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition affecting memory and thinking skills. Participants will join either a group performing memory retraining exercises or a placebo group engaging in similar activities without the retraining focus. This trial suits those over 60 who speak English and have been diagnosed with amnestic MCI, which specifically impacts memory. The researchers aim to determine if these exercises can significantly enhance everyday life and assess the longevity of the benefits. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could improve daily life for those with MCI.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants who use benzodiazepines and steroids, so you would need to stop taking these medications to participate.

What prior data suggests that this memory retraining technique is safe for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Research has shown that memory retraining exercises are generally safe for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Studies have found that these exercises can enhance memory activity in the brain without major side effects. For example, one study reported that participants experienced improved overall thinking skills and felt more confident about their memory after the training, indicating that the exercises are well-tolerated. While most reports highlight the benefits, they do not mention any serious negative effects, which suggests good safety. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to understand any potential risks and benefits before joining a trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about memory retraining exercises for mild cognitive impairment because these exercises offer a non-pharmacological approach to enhancing cognitive function. Unlike traditional treatments, which often involve medications like cholinesterase inhibitors, this method uses interactive exercises delivered via a laptop, making it accessible and easy to use. The focus on cognitive exercises could potentially improve memory and cognitive skills without the side effects commonly associated with drug therapies. This innovative approach might empower patients to actively participate in their treatment, potentially leading to improved daily functioning and quality of life.

What evidence suggests that memory retraining exercises could be effective for mild cognitive impairment?

Research has shown that memory exercises can significantly aid people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in improving their memory. In this trial, participants in the experimental group will receive memory retraining exercises, which previous studies have shown to lead to better memory outcomes than health education alone. Another study found that these memory exercises can enhance specific behaviors and memory skills. Additionally, a review of several studies found that computer-based memory training benefits people with MCI or dementia. These findings suggest that memory exercises hold promise for helping people with MCI improve their memory and daily life. Meanwhile, participants in the placebo control group will receive placebo memory exercises for comparison. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nancy D Chiaravalloti, PhD

Principal Investigator

Kessler Foundation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 60 or older who have been diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and are fluent in English. It's not suitable for those with a history of stroke, neurological injuries/diseases, significant alcohol/drug abuse requiring inpatient treatment, use of benzodiazepines/steroids, or major psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 60 years old or older.

You have been diagnosed with mild memory loss by a medical professional as part of this study.

You have been diagnosed with mild memory problems.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently using benzodiazepines or steroids.

I have had a stroke or a neurological condition like MS.

Significant alcohol or drug abuse history (inpatient treatment).

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive memory retraining exercises or placebo memory exercises administered on a laptop computer twice a week for five weeks

5 weeks

10 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with assessments at multiple time points

18 months

Assessments at 4 time points: immediately post-treatment, 6 months, and 18 months

Optional Neuroimaging

Optional enrollment in pre- and post-treatment neuroimaging to assess changes in the brain

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Memory Retraining Exercises
• Placebo Control Memory Exercises

Trial Overview

The study tests the effectiveness of memory retraining exercises compared to placebo control exercises on improving learning and memory in people with MCI. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups and assessed through neuropsychological tests, daily functioning questionnaires, and optional functional neuroimaging before and after treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Experimental Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The experimental group will receive memory retraining exercises administered on a laptop computer twice a week for five weeks (10 training sessions).

Group II: Placebo Control Group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The placebo control group will receive placebo memory exercises administered on a laptop computer twice a week for five weeks (10 placebo control sessions).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kessler Foundation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

190

Recruited

11,300+

Michigan State University

Collaborator

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

University of Michigan

Collaborator

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The RALLI program, designed for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), significantly increased exercise participation, with 84% of participants exercising at least once a week after 12 weeks, compared to 62% at baseline.

Participants also reported improved physical health and emotional well-being, with a mean increase of 156 minutes of exercise per week and 76% continuing to exercise after 6 months, indicating the program's effectiveness in addressing cognitive challenges related to exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Making physical activity accessible to older adults with memory loss: a feasibility study. Logsdon, RG., McCurry, SM., Pike, KC., et al.[2022]

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]

Elderly individuals seeking memory training reported more memory complaints and higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to a matched control group, indicating that emotional factors may influence their perception of memory issues.

Despite having more knowledge about memory strategies, the training group did not perform better on memory tests, suggesting that negative beliefs about their memory abilities could contribute to their complaints rather than actual memory deficits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The elderly and memory complaints. A study of self-knowledge about memory, depression and memory abilities]. Ponds, RW., Bruning, HA., Jolles, J.[2010]

A cognitive intervention for 52 older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment led to significant improvements in everyday memory performance, particularly in prospective memory tasks, after just 2 weeks.

Participants also showed increased knowledge and use of memory strategies following the intervention, suggesting that early cognitive rehabilitation can help manage memory difficulties effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early intervention for mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial. Kinsella, GJ., Mullaly, E., Rand, E., et al.[2022]

A review of 226 studies on memory interventions for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) found that only ten met the inclusion criteria, highlighting a lack of robust evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions.

While there is some indication that individuals with MCI can learn specific information and develop compensatory strategies for memory difficulties, the overall methodological quality of the studies was poor, suggesting a need for more rigorous research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of the effectiveness of memory interventions in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Stott, J., Spector, A.[2022]

The study involved 66 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who participated in a virtual interactive working memory training (VIMT) program, showing a significant improvement in working memory compared to an active control group after 36 training sessions.

The VIMT program not only helped maintain working memory but also potentially reduced cognitive decline in older adults with MCI, indicating its efficacy as an intervention for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and effectiveness of virtual interactive working memory training for older people with mild cognitive impairment: a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Yang, HL., Chu, H., Kao, CC., et al.[2020]

A novel cognitive training program called multi-strategic metamemory training significantly improved long-term delayed free recall and fluency in 66 older adults with mild cognitive impairment compared to a control group of 47 participants.

Participants in the training group also reported a significant decrease in subjective memory complaints, indicating that the program not only enhanced cognitive performance but also improved their perception of everyday memory function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Improvement in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Evidence from a Multi-Strategic Metamemory Training. Youn, JH., Park, S., Lee, JY., et al.[2020]

In a randomized pilot study involving participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), cognitive training led to significant improvements in verbal memory and increased activation in the left hippocampus after two months.

The results indicate that the hippocampus in individuals with MCI retains enough neuroplasticity to benefit from cognitive training, as evidenced by improvements in 5 out of 6 participants in the experimental group compared to declines in all participants in the control group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive training changes hippocampal function in mild cognitive impairment: a pilot study. Rosen, AC., Sugiura, L., Kramer, JH., et al.[2022]

The Memory Support System (MSS) was successfully learned and utilized by 20 participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with 95% compliance at the end of training and 89% at follow-up.

Participants showed a medium effect size in improved functional ability, along with reported benefits in independence, self-confidence, and mood, indicating that the MSS may effectively help manage memory loss symptoms in MCI.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A behavioral rehabilitation intervention for amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Greenaway, MC., Hanna, SM., Lepore, SW., et al.[2022]

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