Neurofeedback Improves Cognitive Performance and EEG Activity in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a non-pharmacological pilot study showing the improvement of a SMR/theta neurofeedback training program on cognitive performance and EEG activity in Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Detailed Description
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Neurofeedback training (NF) as self-regulation method of brain activity, may be beneficial in elderly with mild cognitive impairment. In this pilot study, the investigators studied whether a sensorimotor(SMR)/theta NF training could improve cognitive performance and brain electrical activity in a sample group of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Twenty participants performed an electroencephalography recording, a battery of neuropsychological tests before the neurofeedback training program (T0), following the neurofeedback training program (T1) and 1-month follow-up (T2).

Official Title
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SMR/Theta Neurofeedback Training Improves Cognitive Performance and EEG Activity in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: SMR neurofeedback training to MCI


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment education level of 9 years of studies minimum righthandedness subjective memory complaint confirmed by an informant a Mini Mental Status Examination score >20. preserve activity of daily living and absence of dementia. Exclusion Criteria: elderly persons who were under guardianship resident in nursing facilities neurological disease, psychiatric disease and involved in another cogniitve intervention.

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: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: no randomized, no controlled
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: SMR neurofeedback training to MCI<br>A sensorimotor/theta neurofeedback training consisted of 20 individuals sessions, twice a week during 11 weeks maximum. For each subject, NF was planned and conducted by a neuropsychologist experienced in neurophysiology an neurofeedback. Each session lasted 1h10 minutes and was conducted as follows: Preparation and installation of the electrodes, verification of the impedance, adjustement of the calibration. NF training (tasks and video described below)(45minutes) Feedback and debriefing about the session (15 minutes) | Behavioral: SMR neurofeedback training to MCI<br>* The intervention consisted to increase the synaptic strengths and sensitivity within this network. Electroencephalography signals for SMR/theta training was recorded at channel Cz according to the international 10-20 system. Theta rhythm was also recorded and, in this case, SMR was stimulated while theta waves were suppressed.A 32 channels system (EEGDigitrcak Biofeedback plus module, Inc Elmiko Medical) was used for the SMR/theta Neurofeedback training.<br>* Other names: neurofeedback;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rey Auditory Verbal Learning test | Assessment of verbal learning in episodic memory, evaluating the ability to encode, combine, store and long-term consolidation process. | Assessment at baseline, change from baseline to 11 weeks immediately after the NF training and 1 month follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Relative power for delta, theta, alpha, sensorimotor and lower beta frequency bands. | Electroencephalography was recorded and EEG power spectrum was calculated using the fast Fourier transform. The power spectral density was calculated to extract the relative power for each frequency band and estimated as a log-ratio. | Assessment at baseline, change from baseline to 11 weeks immediately after the NF training and 1 month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Neurofeedback, Electroencephalography, MCI, Alzheimer