Abstract
Background: Cognitive training (CT) is a non-pharmacological intervention based on a set of tasks that reflect specific cognitive functions. CT is aimed at improving cognition in patients with cognitive impairment, though no definitive conclusions have yet been drawn on its efficacy in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a CT program designed to improve cognition in AD patients.
Method: This is a randomized, controlled, single-blind, longitudinal trial with a no-treatment control condition in mild-to-moderate AD. Treated patients received in-group CT twice a week for six months, whereas controls did not. CT consisted of tasks ranging from paper-and-pencil to verbal-learning exercises. Participants' cognitive levels were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 6 months later by means of a complete neuropsychological test battery. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of time on the outcome measures, as well as to compare treated and untreated patients over time, with demographic data considered as covariates.
Results: Of the 140 patients enrolled, 45 in the treated group and 85 controls concluded the study. The CT significantly improved treated subjects' cognitive functions immediately after the CT. Six months later, some test scores remained stable when compared with those obtained at baseline. The control group performed significantly worse than the treated group at each time-point, displaying a progressive cognitive decline over time.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that CT may improve cognitive functions in patients with AD and may help to temporarily slow their cognitive decline.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, non-pharmacological intervention, neuropsychological assessment, randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Cognitive Training in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Findings of a 12-month Randomized Controlled Trial
Volume: 15 Issue: 5
Author(s): Alessandro Trebbastoni*, Letizia Imbriano, Livia Podda, Lidia Rendace, Maria Luisa Sacchett, Alessandra Campanelli, Fabrizia D’Antonio and Carlo de Lena
Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome,,Italy
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, non-pharmacological intervention, neuropsychological assessment, randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Abstract: Background: Cognitive training (CT) is a non-pharmacological intervention based on a set of tasks that reflect specific cognitive functions. CT is aimed at improving cognition in patients with cognitive impairment, though no definitive conclusions have yet been drawn on its efficacy in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a CT program designed to improve cognition in AD patients.
Method: This is a randomized, controlled, single-blind, longitudinal trial with a no-treatment control condition in mild-to-moderate AD. Treated patients received in-group CT twice a week for six months, whereas controls did not. CT consisted of tasks ranging from paper-and-pencil to verbal-learning exercises. Participants' cognitive levels were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 6 months later by means of a complete neuropsychological test battery. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of time on the outcome measures, as well as to compare treated and untreated patients over time, with demographic data considered as covariates.
Results: Of the 140 patients enrolled, 45 in the treated group and 85 controls concluded the study. The CT significantly improved treated subjects' cognitive functions immediately after the CT. Six months later, some test scores remained stable when compared with those obtained at baseline. The control group performed significantly worse than the treated group at each time-point, displaying a progressive cognitive decline over time.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that CT may improve cognitive functions in patients with AD and may help to temporarily slow their cognitive decline.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Trebbastoni Alessandro *, Imbriano Letizia , Podda Livia , Rendace Lidia , Sacchett Luisa Maria , Campanelli Alessandra , D’Antonio Fabrizia and de Lena Carlo , Cognitive Training in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Findings of a 12-month Randomized Controlled Trial, Current Alzheimer Research 2018; 15 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205014666171113105044
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205014666171113105044 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite decades of research, no cure or disease-modifying treatment is available yet. Therefore, the need for developing effective therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease is an urgent matter. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
A Comparison Between Quetiapine and Aripiprazole for Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Double Blind Contrast
Current Psychopharmacology Anandamide Dysfunction in Prodromal and Established Psychosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: Cocaine and Cerebral Small Vessel: Is it a Negative Factor for Intravenous Thrombolysis?
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Effects of Gender and CYP46 and Apo E Polymorphism on 24S-Hydroxycholesterol Levels in Alzheimers Patients Treated with Statins
Current Alzheimer Research Multitarget-Directed Ligands: Innovative Chemical Probes and Therapeutic Tools Against Alzheimer's Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacotherapy of Persons with Dementia in Long-term Care in Australia: A Descriptive Audit of Central Nervous System Medications
Current Drug Safety Modulation of the Ceramide Level, A Novel Therapeutic Concept
Current Drug Targets Prospective Role of Polyphenolic Compounds in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Neurovascular Changes in Acute, sub-Acute and Chronic Mouse Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Neurovascular Research Macronutrient Intake and Distribution in the Etiology, Prevention and Treatment of Osteosarcopenic Obesity
Current Aging Science Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Link with Vascular Risk
Current Pharmaceutical Design Herbal and Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Complications in Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Serotonin Receptors of Type 6 (5-HT6): From Neuroscience to Clinical Pharmacology
Current Medicinal Chemistry Progression of Alzheimer-type Neurofibrillary Tangles is Related to the Proximodistal Segments of the Hemispheric Arteries
Current Alzheimer Research Nitrone Derivatives as Therapeutics: From Chemical Modification to Specific-targeting
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Rosiglitazone Does Not Improve Cognition or Global Function when Used as Adjunctive Therapy to AChE Inhibitors in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimers Disease: Two Phase 3 Studies
Current Alzheimer Research Targeting the Autophagy/Lysosomal Degradation Pathway in Parkinson´s Disease
Current Neuropharmacology Understanding Epigenetic Alterations in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: Towards Targeted Biomarkers and Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Combined Therapies for Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Current Molecular Medicine Editorial [Celebrating the Fifth Year Anniversary of Current Alzheimer Research(Guest Editor: Debomoy K. Lahiri)]
Current Alzheimer Research