Mild Cognitive Impairment
Conditions
Keywords
Mild Cognitive Impairment, MCI, Meditation, Mindfulness, Cognitive Activation, Cognitive Training, Tai Chi
Brief summary
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes an initial phase of cognitive decline, usually among older adults, in which a person notices a decline in attention or memory, and performs worse than normal on cognitive tests of such. People with MCI are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or related dementia than others their same age, and so MCI is thought of as an early warning sign of progressive cognitive decline. While some forms of MCI may be brought about by purely genetic causes, other cases may be due to a withdrawal of cognitive engagement with the world. In these cases, a rigorous program of cognitive training may be beneficial, halting or reversing symptom progression. The current study will evaluate a multifaceted cognitive activation program on older adults with MCI. This group program is intensive, running for 10 weeks, 3 times per week, for a total of 100 hours of training. Training consists of meditation exercises for broad attention activation, Tai Chi exercises to integrate cognition with body awareness, and cognitive training through computerized attention, memory, and problem solving exercise. Subjective impressions and objective measures of cognitive ability will be measured before and after the intervention. The investigators will also examine effects on mood and levels of daily function. Results will be compared to a waitlisted control group. The control group will subsequently be entered into a home-based version of the program for 10 weeks, with assessment before and after training, to look at the importance of the group meeting dynamic in promoting cognitive change.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCogntive Activation Training
Mindfulness-based stress reduction - 30 minutes / class x 3 classes / week; optional home practice Tai Chi - 30 minutes / class x 3 classes / week; optional home practice Computer-based cognitive training - 20 minutes / class x 3 classes / week; optional home practice
BEHAVIORALWaitlist Control / Home-based training
Computer-based cognitive training - 20 minutes / day Daily walking - 20 minutes / day Biofeedback relaxation Training - 20 minutes / day
Sponsors
Roy Hintsa
Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Subjective complaint about decline in memory or attention * \> 1 deviation below age-norm performance on memory or attention tasks * Independence in daily living * English speaking
Exclusion criteria
* Neurological disorders (including aphasias) or reversible causes of dementia (e.g., hypothyroidism or B12 deficiency) * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score \< 24 * Clinical mood disorder such as depression or anxiety * Other serious medical conditions that preclude participation in the program
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Speed | Before and After Intervention | Processing speed on computerized cognitive task. |
| Memory | Before and After Intervention | Tests of immediate recall and delayed recall, recognition, and familiarity. |
| Executive Function | Before and After Intervention | Tests of inhibition, task switching, and problem solving. |
| Attention / Working Memory | Before and after intervention | Working memory measures such as digit span, selection of targets among distractors, etc. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mood and Well-being | Before and after intervention | Tests of dysphoric affect and subjective quality of life |
| Daily Function | Before and after intervention | Tests of instrumental activities of daily living |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed