Abstract
Objective
The role of cognition-focused interventions in reducing cognitive decline in older people remains uncertain. This study aimed to clarify whether a group cognitive activity (CA) strategy-training program would decrease the 2-year rate of cognitive decline of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Design
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting
One study site.
Participants
160 older adults with MCI ≥65 years of age (mean: 75, SD: 5.8).
Intervention
Five-week CA strategy training or a control nonspecific educational program. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in the total score on the Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised (CAMCOG-R). Secondary outcomes of interest included changes in memory, attention, executive functions, mood, and quality of life. Endpoints were collected 10, 52, and 104 weeks post baseline.
Results
Intention to treat analysis identified no significant difference in CAMCOG-R scores over time between the two groups (mean difference: −0.36, 95% CI: −1.02,0.29) or across secondary outcome measures. The exceptions were better performance of the CA group on immediate attention (Digit Span Forwards, adjusted mean difference: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01,0.30) and better quality of life (adjusted mean difference: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.10,1.04) compared with controls.
Conclusion
The devised program of CA did not improve general cognitive performance of older adults with MCI over a period of 2 years. Although favorable, the beneficial effects of the intervention on attention and quality of life were small, and of uncertain significance.
The role of cognition-focused interventions in reducing cognitive decline in older people remains uncertain. This study aimed to clarify whether a group cognitive activity (CA) strategy-training program would decrease the 2-year rate of cognitive decline of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Design
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting
One study site.
Participants
160 older adults with MCI ≥65 years of age (mean: 75, SD: 5.8).
Intervention
Five-week CA strategy training or a control nonspecific educational program. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in the total score on the Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Revised (CAMCOG-R). Secondary outcomes of interest included changes in memory, attention, executive functions, mood, and quality of life. Endpoints were collected 10, 52, and 104 weeks post baseline.
Results
Intention to treat analysis identified no significant difference in CAMCOG-R scores over time between the two groups (mean difference: −0.36, 95% CI: −1.02,0.29) or across secondary outcome measures. The exceptions were better performance of the CA group on immediate attention (Digit Span Forwards, adjusted mean difference: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01,0.30) and better quality of life (adjusted mean difference: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.10,1.04) compared with controls.
Conclusion
The devised program of CA did not improve general cognitive performance of older adults with MCI over a period of 2 years. Although favorable, the beneficial effects of the intervention on attention and quality of life were small, and of uncertain significance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 360–372 |
| Journal | The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2015 |