Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Condition: Age-related Cognitive Decline
MeSH terms: Cognitive Dysfunction
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Background: Ageing is frequently accompanied by physiological changes that might result in a
      deterioration in physical and cognitive abilities, which frequently leads to
      institutionalization or the loss of autonomy. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an
      intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and early dementia, the optimal period to
      intervene with preventive strategies and early treatments. Thus, the current study intends to
      investigate the effects of aerobic and computer-based cognitive training on age-related
      cognitive decline.

      Methods: This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Elderly patients with mild
      cognitive impairment (n = 60) will be randomized to 2 arms and treated for 12 weeks: arm 1
      (aerobic exercise and computerized cognitive training) and arm 2 (Placebo; will not receive
      any intervention). Outcome measure used were Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test,
      Barthel Index (BI) and short form survey-12 (SF-12).

      Statistical Analysis: To compare the baseline characteristics and outcome variables between
      the two groups, independent t-tests was employed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was
      utilized to determine the interaction effect of time (baseline, post-treatment, and
      follow-up) and group (intervention vs. control) on the outcome measures.
    


Intervention name(s): Aerobic Exercise and Computerized Cognitive Training; Conventional Exercises and Brain health lectures
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Aerobic Exercise (AE) included walk briskly, increasing intensity and duration progressively. The first week they had to walk 30 min per day, 3 days per week, up to 9-10 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (BRPES; Borg, 1982) perceived as light intensity; during the second week, the duration was increased to 45 min and the intensity 9-10 and frequency (3 days per week) were maintained; the following 10 weeks they maintained the duration (45 min) and frequency (3 days per week) and increased the intensity up to 12-14 on BRPES perceived as moderate-high effort.
Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) included a multidomain computer-based cognitive training using the brainHQ software in sessions of 45 min, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Cognitive tasks targeted attention, recognition, colour and shape, identification, calculation, visual perception, visual spatial processing, memory, and executive function.; Participants were exposed to balancing, coordination, stretching, and core exercises. Additionally, they attended brain health lectures to provide a comparative non-interactive cognitive engagement. Both the exercises and lectures were scheduled similar to the intervention group over 12 weeks
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Cognition; Computer Based Cognitive Training; Aerobic Training; Exercises