Cognitive and neural benefits of brain training.

Double-blind, randomised clinical trial timecourse changes in response to computerised cognitive training compared to active control training in a group of cognitively healthy older adults, as measured with a battery of cognitive tests and MRI scans.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12611000702910

Enrollment

Registered

2011-07-08

Start date

2011-07-12

Completion date

2012-04-10

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Research suggests Brain Training may be effective for improving the brain’s ability to store and process information, and imaging studies suggest Brain Training may also lead to positive changes to brain structure and function . However, most of the research to date has simply measured effects by comparing data before and after a period of Brain Training. The effects of Brain Training during the training period has yet to be properly examined. We would therefore like to answer three main questions: 1. What is the minimum duration of Brain Training required to produce cognitive benefits? 2. By what rate do any positive cognitive effects decay after the cessation of Brain Training? 3. How do different brain changes (as revealed by brain imaging) develop over time?

Interventions

26 exercises from the COGPACK package, a suite of exercises that are largely based upon well-established neuropsychological tests and principles. Multiple exercises will be used to target the one generic cognitive domain and exercises will include both verbal and visual modalities. Training will be administered in three 1-hour sessions every week for a total period of 12 weeks (i.e. a total of 36 hours), supervised by a member of the research team.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Educational / counselling / training

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

65 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

(1) Non-demented, non-depressed older adults; (2) physical ability to attend brain training sessions 3 times a week

Exclusion criteria

(1) history, diagnosis or treatment for dementia (of any aetiology); (2) diagnosis or treatment for depression in last 6 months; (3) history of stroke in last 12 months; (4) major neurological disorder requiring current treatment (epilepsy); (5) major psychiatric disorder requiring current treatment (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder); (6) physical (sensory or motor) impairment that would limit ability to engage with training; (7) lack of personal informant who sees the person at least once a week; (8) current undertaking of any other Brain Training program; (9) current alcohol abuse.

Outcome results