Memory Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Overseen By Geetika Chahal, MBBS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix

Disqualifiers: Moderate dementia, Severe dementia, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 10 weeks

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to test whether a special memory training program, called CogMed, can help people with early memory problems. The Investigators want to see if this training improves memory and also helps reduce stress. The Investigators also want to see if CogMed results in changes to a blood biomarker called p-Tau 217, which possibly indicate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

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 CogMed Working Memory Training for improving memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment?

Research shows that CogMed, a computerized program designed to improve working memory, has been effective in enhancing working memory capacity and other cognitive functions in adults with mild cognitive impairment when compared to non-adaptive training programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is CogMed Working Memory Training safe for humans?

The available research does not report any safety concerns for CogMed Working Memory Training in humans, including older adults with mild cognitive impairment and children. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How is the treatment CogMed different from other treatments for mild cognitive impairment?

CogMed is a unique treatment for mild cognitive impairment because it is a computerized program specifically designed to improve working memory through adaptive training sessions, unlike other treatments that may not focus on this specific cognitive function. ^{1 2 4 5 8}

Research Team

Yonas E Geda, M.D, MSc

Principal Investigator

Barrow Neurological Institute, Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Disorders Division

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people over 50 with mild memory problems who can use the internet and understand English (or have a translator). They should be able to see and hear well enough for study tasks. Those with moderate or severe dementia, or an MMSE score below 19, cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Access to the internet through computer

Proficiency in speaking and reading English or having a family member who is proficient in reading and speaking English and is willing to serve as a translator

I am 50 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) score less than 19 or patients diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia by a clinician

In the opinion of the investigator, participation would not be in the best interest of the subject.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants in the intervention group undergo CogMed intervention for 25 minutes daily, 5 days a week for 10 weeks, while the control group follows Treatment As Usual (TAU).

10 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in working memory, stress, and other cognitive measures at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention period.

12 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CogMed

Trial Overview The study tests if CogMed, a special memory training program, improves memory in those with early signs of cognitive decline. It also examines whether CogMed affects stress levels and alters blood markers related to Alzheimer's disease.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Intervention Group (N = 5) Participants will be instructed to do CogMed intervention (computerized working memory activity carried out for 25 minutes daily for 5 days per week for a total of 10 weeks).

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

The Control group(N = 5) follow there Treatment as usual(TAU). For ethical reasons, at the end of trial, the control group will also be offered the CogMed intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix

Lead Sponsor

Trials

69

Recruited

17,400+

Barrow Neurological Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

9

Recruited

21,600+

Barrow Neurological Institute

Collaborator

Trials

27

Recruited

7,100+

Findings from Research

In a clinical trial involving 68 older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), the Cogmed program significantly improved working memory performance compared to a Sham program, particularly on the Span Board test and subjective memory reports.

Participants using Cogmed also showed better functional adjustment over time, indicating that the program not only enhanced working memory but also positively impacted daily functioning and satisfaction with the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Training Program to Improve Working Memory in Older Adults with MCI. Hyer, L., Scott, C., Atkinson, MM., et al.[2022]

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]

An 8-session structured group memory rehabilitation program significantly improved memory functioning in adults with traumatic brain injury and cerebral vascular accidents, as evidenced by neuropsychological assessments and self-reports.

Participants not only learned effective memory strategies and aids but also showed reduced memory impairment behaviors, with these improvements lasting for at least one month after the program ended.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a structured group format memory rehabilitation program for adults following brain injury. Thickpenny-Davis, KL., Barker-Collo, SL.[2007]

A 5-week computerized adaptive working memory training program (Cogmed®) did not lead to significant improvements in working memory capacity compared to a non-adaptive training program in 68 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The study, which included participants aged 43 to 88 years, found no differences in cognitive function outcomes between the two training methods at both 1 and 4 months post-training, indicating that the adaptive training did not provide additional benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptive Computerized Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. A Randomized Double-Blind Active Controlled Trial. Flak, MM., Hol, HR., Hernes, SS., et al.[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]

Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) has shown statistically significant improvements in working memory and executive functions among over 280 child and adolescent trainees based on pre- and post-training assessments.

Feedback from families indicates positive changes experienced by trainees, although the study's one-group pre-test post-test design has limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parental Perceptions of the Efficacy of Cogmed Working Memory Training. Graham, AR., Benninger, WB.[2018]

A 12-week cognitive stimulation intervention at the Memory Centre Erlangen showed positive effects on cognitive performance in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), with significant improvements in attention, general cognitive speed, and short-term memory.

Even patients diagnosed with dementia did not experience a decline in cognitive abilities during the intervention, and some showed improvements in the same cognitive areas, suggesting the potential benefits of cognitive training for various levels of memory impairment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Erlangen Memory Center--a partial inpatient gerontopsychiatric facility]. Engel, S., Mück, A., Steinwachs, KC., et al.[2015]

Working memory training programs can lead to significant improvements in cognitive functions for older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia, suggesting that these programs can enhance daily life activities and autonomy.

The training not only improves working memory but also induces neuronal changes that enhance the efficiency of related cognitive processes, indicating a potential for broader cognitive benefits beyond just memory tasks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Working memory training in normal and pathological aging: neurocognitive gains and generalization]. Saba, M., Blanchet, S.[2021]

References

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

Cognitive Training Program to Improve Working Memory in Older Adults with MCI. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Improvement in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Evidence from a Multi-Strategic Metamemory Training. [2020]

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

Evaluation of a structured group format memory rehabilitation program for adults following brain injury. [2007]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptive Computerized Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. A Randomized Double-Blind Active Controlled Trial. [2022]

5. England 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. [2020]

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

Parental Perceptions of the Efficacy of Cogmed Working Memory Training. [2018]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Erlangen Memory Center--a partial inpatient gerontopsychiatric facility]. [2015]

8. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Working memory training in normal and pathological aging: neurocognitive gains and generalization]. [2021]