None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a blinded, randomised controlled trial of Club Connect: a group-based cognitive training program comprised of psychoeducation on topics related to healthy brain ageing and computer-based ‘brain training’. Participants will comprise a hospital sample of older adults with clinically significant depressive symptoms or history of a major depressive episode within the last five years, and without dementia.
Interventions
The intervention will comprise a Healthy Brain Ageing cognitive training (CT) program which will run for 10 consecutive weeks on level 4 of the O’Brien Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital. The Healthy Brain Ageing intervention will comprise face-to-face, two-hour weekly group CT sessions including: i) 50 minutes of psychoeducation; and ii) 50 minutes of computer-based CT; in between participants will have a 20 minute tea-break, where they will have the opportunity to socially engage with each other.
The intervention will comprise a Healthy Brain Ageing cognitive training (CT) program which will run for 10 consecutive weeks on level 4 of the O’Brien Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital. The Healthy Brain Ageing intervention will comprise face-to-face, two-hour weekly group CT sessions including: i) 50 minutes of psychoeducation; and ii) 50 minutes of computer-based CT; in between participants will have a 20 minute tea-break, where they will have the opportunity to socially engage with each other. i. Psychoeducation: this component will include education on the following topics: the brain, attention and processing speed, learning and memory, executive function, vascular risk factors, diet and exercise, depression and anxiety, and sleep, and participants will be given a copy of all slides in the 'Club Connect Workbook'. All material will be provided by specialist clinicians (e.g., Psychiatrists, Neuropsychologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists etc.). This component may have a maximum of 14 participants per group. ii. CT: The CT intervention will be delivered by Clinical Neuropsychologists and Psychologists, and will utilize Medalia’s Neuropsychological Education Approach to Remediation. CT will include widely available educational computer software (e.g. Penny Adams Brain Trainer, Magic Academy, Thinkin’ Things Collection 3, Ice Cream Mania, Pet Shop Hop etc.) and specific ‘brain training’ packages (e.g. CogPack). This component will have a maximum of 7 participants per group. Attendance at both the psychoeducation and CT component will be recorded using our patient management software, CHIME.
Sponsors
St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants eligible for Club Connect must comply with all of the following criteria: 1. Have provided written informed consent, 2. Be aged 65 years or older, 3. Have current depressive symptoms (as evidenced by 6 ore more on the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 item (GDS-15) or, history of a MDE within the last five years (assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), and 4. Be willing and able to commit to attending for the duration of the program, outside of unforeseen or unanticipated circumstances (e.g. illness).
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded from participating if they have: 1. An established diagnosis of dementia, 2. A Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score <24 with impairment in activities of daily living, 3. Severe major depression with impaired activities of daily living, or current harmful or dependent substance use (i.e. more than recommended daily intake based on national guidelines), or current or history of a non-affective psychiatric disorder (e.g. schizophrenia etc.) that would preclude their ability to engage in a group-based CT program, 4. Had electroconvulsive therapy within the three months prior to baseline assessment, and 5. Insufficient English skills to participant in psychometric testing or in group-based CT. Participants engaging in other therapies for the treatment of depression (i.e. non pharmacological and pharmacological therapy) will be included, yet participants on pharmacological therapy will need to be stabilised on their medication for at least four weeks before baseline assessment.
Outcome results
None listed