None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This feasibility pilot study will evaluate whether a structured Healthy Brain Ageing (HBA) cognitive training (CT) and psychoeducation program delivered as an online intervention (i.e. CogNet) is efficacious for cognitive performance. The program is designed to improve cognitive and psychosocial functioning in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). While the program has been shown to be successful in over 400 participant’s to-date, thus far we have only been able to offer our HBA intervention to those participants who were both able to physically access our specialised facility and staff, and were agreeable to participate in a group-based intervention. By translating this program to an online platform, we are able to make it more accessible for older adults ‘at risk’ for dementia and we now seek to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the CogNet intervention in a group of older adults with MCI.
Interventions
CogNet is a six-week online psychoeducation and cognitive training program targeting common cognitive concerns experienced by many older adults, as well as modifiable risk factors for dementia.
The program has been adapted to an online format, with topics arranged into five core ‘cognitive’ modules and seven health/psychosocial/lifestyle modules addressing risk factors for dementia. Each module will provide participants with education and practical instruction on a variety of strategies targeti
CogNet is a six-week online psychoeducation and cognitive training program targeting common cognitive concerns experienced by many older adults, as well as modifiable risk factors for dementia. The program has been adapted to an online format, with topics arranged into five core ‘cognitive’ modules and seven health/psychosocial/lifestyle modules addressing risk factors for dementia. Each module will provide participants with education and practical instruction on a variety of strategies targeting cognition, mood disturbance, and medical or lifestyle factors known to affect cognition and psychosocial wellbeing. Participants who are allocated to the intervention arm will complete a total 12 modules over the course of the six-week program (i.e. two modules per week). The modules include: 1. Introduction to the Brain and Cognitive Changes in Ageing 2. Introduction to Learning and Memory 3. External Memory Strategies 4. Internal Memory Strategies 5. Executive Functions 6. Vascular Risk Factors 7. Diet 8. Exercise 9. Sleep Habits and Sleep Quality 10. Depression and Anxiety 11. Behavioural Strategies for Wellbeing 12. Psychological Strategies for Wellbeing Intervention condition: Participants allocated to the intervention group will log into the CogNet platform and complete two 60-90 minute modules per week for six-weeks, to complete 12 modules in total. Two new modules will become available to access each week throughout the intervention period. Participants will be encouraged to progress through the modules in order; however, the modules will become available weekly regardless of whether or not the individual has completed each of the previous modules. Each module will provide participants with current, evidence-based psychoeducation as well as examples and practical instruction on a variety of strategies targeting cognition (e.g. chunking, PQRST technique, strategic diary use, structured problem solving etc.), as well as recommendations for management of mood disturbance or lifestyle factors known to affect cognition and psychosocial wellbeing. Participants will receive two reminders via email to complete modules each week, to maximise adherence.
Sponsors
The University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• Have subjective concerns about their cognition • Screen positive for Mild Cognitive Impairment based on telephone screening, including the Memory and Ageing Telephone Screen and additional gold-standard neuropsychological tests assessing basic auditory attention and working memory (WAIS-III Digit Span subtest), processing speed (Oral Trail Making Test Part A), mental flexibility (Oral Trail Making Test Part B), and verbal fluency (Controlled Oral Word Association Test). • Be 50 years at the time of baseline assessment • Be willing to complete a 6-week psychoeducation and cognitive training program online, comprising two sessions per week • Be willing to complete an online follow-up assessment within two weeks of completing the intervention or control period • Have sufficient hearing ability to communicate via telephone
Exclusion criteria
• Have a formal or suspected diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorder, including Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, or Lewy-Body Dementia • Have a history of stroke • Have other major neurological or medical problems known to affect cognition (e.g. epilepsy, cancer, ADHD) • Have a history of head injury with loss of consciousness >30-minutes • Have an intellectual disability • Have insufficient English language skills for neuropsychological assessment which is conducted in English • Have a history of non-affective psychiatric illness (e.g. schizophrenia, psychosis) • Current/past alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine) • Current use of other psychological or computerised CT therapy (internet or clinician-delivered).
Outcome results
None listed