Improving Performance in Drivers With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Baycrest

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment

Treatments: Behavioral: Processing Speed Training; Behavioral: Brain Health Workshop; Behavioral: Goal Management Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01935219

CIHR MOP-119580

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an intervention to address both executive function and processing speed changes that contribute to poor driving performance in adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Our hypotheses are that the study intervention will improve performance on a driving simulator and will improve (i) executive function, specifically attention and planning, (ii) useful field of view, (iii) mood, (iv) quality of life, and (v) reported motor vehicle crashes and driving infractions.

Full description

Executive function and processing speed are recognized critical correlates of driving performance and have been shown to decline in older adults and in persons with mild cognitive impairment. Members of our research team have shown that group executive function training such as Goal Management Training results in benefits for healthy older adults, including improved simulated daily activities. The ultimate purpose of our research is to develop interventions to help maintain older adults' mobility in order to assist their 'aging at home'. The planned study will assess the effectiveness of an intervention that includes Goal Management Training + processing speed training (using DriveSharp software), which is designed to address both executive function and processing speed changes that contribute to poor driving performance in people with diagnosed mild cognitive impairment. The investigators will measure the effectiveness of the intervention on driving performance, sustained attention, divided attention, executive function, depressive symptoms and quality of life.

Enrollment: 66 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 55+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• mild cognitive impairment
• currently driving or voluntarily stopped driving within the past year
• fluent in English

Exclusion criteria

• visual problems that cannot be corrected with standard lenses
• alcohol/substance abuse
• stroke with residual motor /sensory deficit
• traumatic brain injury
• seizure in the past two years
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• untreated sleep apnea
• history of motion sickness
• history of dizziness, vertigo
• active primary psychiatric disorder requiring treatment
• on a dose of cognitive enhancing medication for less than 3 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

66 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Goal Management Training + Processing Speed Training

Experimental group

Description:

Group receives both Goal Management Training and as well as Processing Speed Training using DriveSharp software.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Goal Management Training

Behavioral: Processing Speed Training

Processing Speed Training + Brain Health Workshop

Active Comparator group

Description:

Group receives both Processing Speed Training (using DriveSharp) and participates in a Brain Health Workshop that is matched to Goal Management Training for session length and contact with trainer.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Brain Health Workshop

Behavioral: Processing Speed Training

Brain Health Workshop + computer assignments

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Group participates in Brain Health Workshop and is provided with computer assignments to match for time spent on the computer in the other arms.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Brain Health Workshop