Effects of Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults With Memory Decline: A Pilot Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of training in memory skills vs. use of external memory aids on everyday memory functioning in older people with mild cognitive impairment.

Detailed Description
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Some older people experience memory loss that is worse than other people of their age, although they are not demented. This condition is known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Healthy older people can learn mnemonic strategies to improve their memory abilities. Can cognitive rehabilitation help people with MCI do better on mental tasks or maintain better functioning in everyday life? This study will evaluate the effects of two different rehabilitation programmes. Patients in the memory training group will learn mental strategies aimed at improving memory. Patients in the memory compensation group will learn to use external memory aids.

Official Title
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Effects of Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults With Memory Decline: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: MEMO programme (Inst Universitaire de Geriatrie, Montreal)
* Behavioral: External memory aids training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment Exclusion Criteria: Unable to speak and understand English Unable to comply with treatment program due to significant comorbid illness; OR Anticipated inability to attend all study sessions

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: EA<br>Training in external memory aids | Behavioral: External memory aids training<br>* 8 weekly group sessions of training in the use of external memory aids, administered by clinical psychologist<br>|
| Experimental: MT<br>Mnemonic training intervention | Behavioral: MEMO programme (Inst Universitaire de Geriatrie, Montreal)<br>* 8 weekly group training sessions in mnemonic strategies, administered by clinical psychologist.<br>|
| No Intervention: WL<br>Wait-list control | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Wechsler Memory Scale - Logical Memory |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Face-name associations test |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire - Ability subscale |  | 19-20 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| FAS test (non-memory) |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Category fluency (non-memory test) |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Victoria Stroop Test (non-memory test) |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Digit Span (non-memory test) |  | 19-20 weeks | 
| Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire - Strategies and Contentment subscales |  | 19-20 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation