TY - JOUR
T1 - Efficacy of multi-domain cognitive function training on cognitive function, working memory, attention, and coordination in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia
T2 - A one-year prospective randomised controlled trial
AU - Sung, Chien Mei
AU - Lee, Tso Ying
AU - Chu, Hsin
AU - Liu, Doresses
AU - Lin, Hui Chen
AU - Pien, Li Chung
AU - Jen, Hsiu Ju
AU - Lai, Yueh Jung
AU - Kang, Xiao Linda
AU - Chou, Kuei Ru
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/6/30
Y1 - 2023/6/30
N2 - Background: Cognitive function, working memory, attention, and coordination are higher-level functions sharing a complex relationship. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of multi-domain cognitive function interventions to improve cognitive outcomes. We evaluated the effectiveness of such interventions on cognitive function, working memory, attention, and coordination in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled trial in community care centres of Northern Taiwan. We recruited 72 participants aged≥65 years and randomly allocated them using 1:1 block randomization (block size = 4) into experimental (multi-domain cognitive function training) (MCFT) and control groups (passive information activities) (PIA) (n = 36/group). We administered the interventions in both groups for 30 minutes per session, three sessions per week for eight weeks, for a total of 24 sessions. The outcome indicators were cognitive function assessed (mini-mental status examination), working memory (digit span), selective attention (Stroop test), visual-spatial attention (trail making test-A (TMT-A)), divided attention (trail making test-B (TMT-B)), and coordination (Berry visual-motor integration (Berry-VMI)). We evaluated the study outcomes at baseline, immediate post-test, one-month follow-up, and one-year follow-up. Results: We found no significant differences between the groups at baseline except for education. The average age of participants was 82.3 years, and most (76.4%) were female. We analysed the results by generalised estimating equations (GEE) based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The multi-domain cognitive function training was effective in improving cognitive function (β = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63-2.31; P = 0.001), working memory (β = -1.45; 95% CI = -2.62, -0.27; P = 0.016), and selective attention (β = -23.3; 95% = CI -43.9, -2.76; P = 0.026) compared to passive information activities at 1-month follow-up. The effects of multi-domain cognitive function training on cognitive function (β = 1.51; 95% CI = 0.40-2.63; P = 0.008), working memory (β = -1.93; 95% CI -3.33, -0.54; P = 0.007), selective attention (β = -27.8; 95% CI = -47.1, -8.48; P = 0.005), and coordination (β = 1.61; 95% CI = 0.25, 2.96; P = 0.020) were maintained for one year. There were no significant improvements in attention outcomes (visual-spatial and divided attention) after training. Conclusions: MCFT intervention demonstrated favourable effects in improving global cognitive function, working memory, selective attention, and coordination among older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. Thus, applying multi-domain cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia could help to delay the cognitive decline. Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000039306).
AB - Background: Cognitive function, working memory, attention, and coordination are higher-level functions sharing a complex relationship. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of multi-domain cognitive function interventions to improve cognitive outcomes. We evaluated the effectiveness of such interventions on cognitive function, working memory, attention, and coordination in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled trial in community care centres of Northern Taiwan. We recruited 72 participants aged≥65 years and randomly allocated them using 1:1 block randomization (block size = 4) into experimental (multi-domain cognitive function training) (MCFT) and control groups (passive information activities) (PIA) (n = 36/group). We administered the interventions in both groups for 30 minutes per session, three sessions per week for eight weeks, for a total of 24 sessions. The outcome indicators were cognitive function assessed (mini-mental status examination), working memory (digit span), selective attention (Stroop test), visual-spatial attention (trail making test-A (TMT-A)), divided attention (trail making test-B (TMT-B)), and coordination (Berry visual-motor integration (Berry-VMI)). We evaluated the study outcomes at baseline, immediate post-test, one-month follow-up, and one-year follow-up. Results: We found no significant differences between the groups at baseline except for education. The average age of participants was 82.3 years, and most (76.4%) were female. We analysed the results by generalised estimating equations (GEE) based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The multi-domain cognitive function training was effective in improving cognitive function (β = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63-2.31; P = 0.001), working memory (β = -1.45; 95% CI = -2.62, -0.27; P = 0.016), and selective attention (β = -23.3; 95% = CI -43.9, -2.76; P = 0.026) compared to passive information activities at 1-month follow-up. The effects of multi-domain cognitive function training on cognitive function (β = 1.51; 95% CI = 0.40-2.63; P = 0.008), working memory (β = -1.93; 95% CI -3.33, -0.54; P = 0.007), selective attention (β = -27.8; 95% CI = -47.1, -8.48; P = 0.005), and coordination (β = 1.61; 95% CI = 0.25, 2.96; P = 0.020) were maintained for one year. There were no significant improvements in attention outcomes (visual-spatial and divided attention) after training. Conclusions: MCFT intervention demonstrated favourable effects in improving global cognitive function, working memory, selective attention, and coordination among older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. Thus, applying multi-domain cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia could help to delay the cognitive decline. Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000039306).
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U2 - 10.7189/jogh.13.04069
DO - 10.7189/jogh.13.04069
M3 - Article
C2 - 37387548
AN - SCOPUS:85164230768
SN - 2047-2978
VL - 13
SP - 4069
JO - Journal of Global Health
JF - Journal of Global Health
M1 - 04069
ER -