Maintaining Independence and Quality of Life in Aging Adults Through Targeted Cognitive Training

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment

Treatments: Behavioral: ABI Wellness Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04539132

103298

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease all represent a range of degenerative conditions that have cognitive impairments which all limit the ability for older individuals to self-manage care, participate in daily activities and community participation. The consequences of these progressive diseases increase the requirement for residential care, associated medical costs and may negatively impact the overall quality of life and mental health for individuals. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, over the next few decades, more than 1 million Canadian's will be living with decreased cognitive ability and will require an increased amount of support, whether through family or institutional sources.

Currently, there are few cognitive programs for individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or for individuals wishing to maintain their current level of cognitive ability which translates to meaningful improvements in daily living and independence, as well as generalized intelligence. To date, the Watson Centre Society for Brain Health (WCSBH) has successfully improved cognitive capacity, executive function and quality of life for over 100 individuals following a wide range of brain injury, and currently has a 77% return to work rate following completion of the full program. The program includes a combination of physical exercise, cognitive training and mindfulness meditation.

The purpose of the research study is to explore the impact of an interdisciplinary cognitive rehabilitation program has upon the cognitive functioning and quality of life for individuals who are assessed to have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In particular, the aims of this study include: 1) To evaluate changes in cognition and quality life in older adults with MCI. 2) To explore the potential for intensive cognitive intervention in slowing cognitive degeneration in older adults with MCI.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• T-MoCA score between 19 - 23

Exclusion criteria

• Potential participants are under the age of 65 years at the time of screening
• Scoring results in a range outside of 19-23 on the MoCA
• Those who have have a diagnosed illness or diagnosed injury which is known to directly and negatively impact cognition
• Are known (legally) to be deemed incapable; unable to appreciate information that is relevant to making decisions or is unable to appreciate the reasonably foreseeable consequences of either making or not making a decision.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

The "intervention group" will participate in the 6-month interdisciplinary comprehensive rehabilitation program. The ABI Wellness (ABIW) program aimed at this population would be 7 hours a week (2 days per week will be scheduled for the intervention group), consisting of around 4 hours of cognitive training (through specified drills, cognitive exercises focused on executive functioning), 1 hour of physical exercise, 1 hour of mindfulness sessions (meditation) and scheduled break times.

Treatment:

Behavioral: ABI Wellness Program

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

The "non-intervention" group or control group will have all the same pre-tests administered as the intervention group, however, will not participate in the cognitive program. The control group will be required to complete the assessment periods only, however, keep a record of their daily activities in a log format which is presented in the materials included herein. No other intervention or programming will be provided.