Clinical trial NCT00337909: Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Enhancement: Classroom Study
Official title: Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Enhancement: Classroom Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Aging
Keywords: cognitive enhancement
memory
auditory memory
speech
computerized
Lead sponsor: Posit Science Corporation
Sponsor class: INDUSTRY
First posted: 2006-06-20
Enrollment: 94
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the design and effectiveness of a computer-based training program on the memory and cognitive abilities of mature individuals undergoing healthy aging.

Detailed description: The purpose of this study is to test the new progressions design of a computer-based training program and to demonstrate the effectiveness of this refined cognitive training regimen on participants' performance on normed neuropsychological measures.

Subjects meeting eligibility criteria and providing written, informed consent will complete 40 one hour sessions of a computer based training program.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

A)Participants must be at least 60 years old B)Participants must have a Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of 24 or higher to ensure that participants do not meet common criteria for dementia C)Participants must be a native English speaker D)Participants must be able to see well enough to read the consent form E)Participants must be able to hear well enough to understand ordinary spoken conversation when the clinical specialist holds a paper in front of his or her face to prevent the participant from lip-reading.

F)Participants must be willing to commit to the time requirements of the study and not have any scheduled trips or absences for more than 1 week during the training.

Exclusion Criteria:

A)Participants must not be planning to begin cholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) therapy or to change their dosing levels. Subjects currently using AChEI will be included if they have an established steady dosing history at least one month prior to the study and are expected to continue at the same dosage throughout the study.

B)Participants must not have had a head trauma that caused them to lose consciousness in the past five years and have had no subsequent symptoms.

C)Participants must not have had a stroke within the past year; or have had a stroke that has left them with expressive or receptive language problems.

D)Participants must not have any central nervous system disorder that could contribute to cognitive impairment.

E)Participants must not have a tremor preventing the use of a computer mouse or other pointing device.

F)Participants must not currently be active in another clinical trial.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Evaluation of training program.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Evaluation of training effects.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: San Francisco
country: United States
facility: Posit Science Corporation
state: California
Study officials:
affiliation: Posit Science Corporation
name: Henry W Mahncke, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Mahncke HW, Bronstone A, Merzenich MM. Brain plasticity and functional losses in the aged: scientific bases for a novel intervention. Prog Brain Res. 2006;157:81-109. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(06)57006-2.