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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Mild Neurocognitive Disorder | Research

Transferability and sustainability of process-based multi-task adaptive cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Xia Zhao, Caifang Ji, Chen Zhang, Cheng Huang, Yuanyuan Zhou, Lina Wang

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Cognitive training shows promising effects for improving cognitive domains in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including the crucial predictive factor of executive function (EF) for dementia prognosis. Few studies have paid sufficient emphasis on the training-induced effects of cognitive training programs, particularly with regards to targeting EF. A process-based multi-task adaptive cognitive training (P-bM-tACT) program targeting EF is required to examine direct, transfer, and sustainability effects in older adults with MCI.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the direct effects of a P-bM-tACT program on EF, the transfer effects on untrained cognitive domains, and further explore the sustainability of training gains for older adults with MCI in the community.

Methods

In a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 92 participants with MCI were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, participating in a P-bM-tACT program (3 training sessions/week, 60 min/session for 10 weeks) or the wait-list control group, accepting a health education program on MCI (1 education session/ twice a week, 40–60 min/session for 10 weeks). The direct and transfer effects of the P-bM-tACT program were assessed at baseline, immediately after 10 weeks of training, and the 3-month follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of variance and a simple effect test were used to compare the direct and transfer effects over the 3-time points between the two groups.

Results

The P-bM-tACT program yielded a greater benefit of direct and transfer effects in the intervention group participants than in the wait-list control group. Combined with the results of simple effect tests, the direct and transfer effects of participants in the intervention group significantly increased immediately after 10 weeks of training compared to the baseline (F = 14.702 ~ 62.905, p < 0.05), and these effects were maintained at the 3-month follow-up (F = 19.595 ~ 122.22, p < 0.05). Besides, the acceptability of the cognitive training program was established with a high adherence rate of 83.4%.

Conclusions

The P-bM-tACT program exerted positive direct and transfer effects on the improvement of cognitive function, and these effects were sustained for 3 months. The findings provided a viable and potential approach to improving cognitive function in older adults with MCI in the community.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on 09/01/2019 (www.​chictr.​org.​cn; Number Registry: ChiCTR1900020585).
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Transferability and sustainability of process-based multi-task adaptive cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Xia Zhao
Caifang Ji
Chen Zhang
Cheng Huang
Yuanyuan Zhou
Lina Wang
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04917-3

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