The Effects of Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Among Older Adults with Psychometrically- Defined Mild Cognitive Impairment

Elise      G. Valdes; Melissa      L. O’Connor; Jerri      D. Edwards

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in cognitive training programs as a potential non-pharmacological approach to slowing cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), there has been little research on the differential effectiveness of training among subtypes of MCI (i.e., amnestic, single non-amnestic, and multi-domain). The current study examined the longitudinal effects of cognitive speed of processing training (SOPT) among older adults with psychometricallydefined MCI from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial. Mixed model ANOVAs examined the effectiveness of SOPT in participants with MCI relative to controls and also compared training effectiveness in MCI subgroups to appropriate controls. A mixed effects model compared SOPT training effects longitudinally across five years relative to controls. A second mixed effects model compared the durability of training gains between the MCI subtypes across 5 years. All subtypes of MCI showed immediate improvement post-training relative to controls, with the single non-amnestic subtype showing the most benefit. Additionally, all subtypes showed similar trajectories across five years. There were no significant changes in performance across time, indicating initial training gains were maintained. These results provide support for the effectiveness and potential durability of SOPT among persons with MCI regardless of subtype. Future research should investigate if SOPT transfers to improvements in the everyday functioning of those with MCI.

Keywords: Cognitive decline, cognitive training, mild cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment subtypes, cognitive speed of processing training, useful field of view test.

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