Maintaining Independence in Everyday Life Among Seniors With Subjective Cognitive Complaints

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of cognitive strategies in improving participation in daily activities within older adults who report subjective cognitive decline.

Detailed Description
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The planned project explores the effects of several interventions designed to promote independence in everyday life, with older adults who identify cognitive complaints. Evidence suggests that 25-50% of community dwelling older adults report cognitive difficulties, such as reduced memory or concentration, in the absence of any diagnosed condition. Cognitive skills are crucial to living independently. The investigators plan to examine two approaches in a randomized controlled trial. Based on our successful pilot study, the investigators hypothesize that this training which combines education on healthy lifestyles and problem solving training to address everyday life difficulties, will be effective in maximizing and maintaining independence of older adults.

Official Title
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Maintaining Independence in Everyday Life Among Seniors With Subjective Cognitive Complaints

Conditions
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Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Cognitive training
* Behavioral: Psychosocial education


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ Fluent in written and spoken English Have subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) Performance within normal limits on a neuropsychological assessment battery Participants must also be able to self-identify specific areas of difficulty in their everyday life that they would like to improve Exclusion Criteria: Significant neurological or psychiatric history (e.g., multiple sclerosis, psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization) Concurrent depression Anaesthesia in previous 6 months; and substance abuse

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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: Cognitive Training<br>Cognitive training intervention. The intervention includes seven 2-hour group sessions interspersed with four individual 45-minute sessions for a total of 17 hours of intervention over an 8-week period. The experimental group will receive real-world strategy training, a cognitive strategy based approach that trains people to improve their level of independence on meaningful activities of daily life with which they are having difficulty. | Behavioral: Cognitive training<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: Psychosocial education<br>The intervention includes seven 2-hour group sessions interspersed with four individual 45-minute sessions for a total of 17 hours of intervention over an 8-week period. The control group will receive brain-health education. | Behavioral: Psychosocial education<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) scores | The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is the primary outcome measure. All participants will identify five everyday life activities that they need to or want to do using the COPM. The primary outcome will be (a) the number of goals improved by two points. | 8 weeks after pretest and 3 months after intervention finished |