Dement Neurocogn Disord.  2013 Dec;12(4):87-93. 10.12779/dnd.2013.12.4.87.

The Effect of Computer-Based Cognitive Training Program On Cognition

• Kim HJ
• Yang YS
• Choi KH
• Kim TY

• KMID: 1797940
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12779/dnd.2013.12.4.87

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Effective non-pharmacological cognitive program to prevent Alzheimer's dementia or slow its progression are an urgent international priority. The effect of computer-based cognitive training program has not been demonstrated yet in dementia. The purpose of this study is to know whether the computer-based cognitive training improved cognitive abilities in patients with mild cognitive disorder and early stage of dementia.
METHODS
Totally 20 participants (14 with MCI and 6 with mild Alzhiemer dementia) participated in this study. To test the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive training programs to cognition, all patient were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n=10) or a control group (n=10) An intervention group received regularly computer-based cognitive training totally 20 times for 10 weeks. Neuropsychological examinations were conducted before and after this period.
RESULTS
After 10 weeks, intervention group showed a significant change in language of K-MMSE compared with baseline cognitive examinations. Also, there was improvement in attention (backward digit span), calculation, memory, and frontal function for the intervention group as compared with controls. Patients with mild cognitive disorder showed marked improvements in language and visuospatial capacity, while patients with dementia showed no or slight improvement in these fields.
CONCLUSIONS
Computer-based cognitive training program might have beneficial effect on general cognitive function in both mild cognitive disorder and dementia. Especially, conspicuous effectiveness showed in patients with mild cognitive disorder.

Keyword

Computer-based cognitive training; Cognition; Mild cognitive disorder; Alzheimer's disease

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Cognition*
Dementia
Education*
Humans
Memory
Methods

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Study design for computer-based cognitive training program. MCI, Mild Cognitive Impairment.

• 

  Fig. 2 Neuropsychological results after using computer-based cognitive training program in mild cognitive disorder group. There were marked improvement in attention, visuo-spatial and verbal memory function after computer-based cognitive program. COWAT, Controlled Oral Word Association Test; RCFT, Rey Complex Figure test; SVLT, Seoul Verbal Learning Test.

Reference

1. Wimo A, Jönsson L, Bond J, Prince M, Winblad B. Alzheimer Disease International. The worldwide economic impact of dementia 2010. Alzheimers Dement. 2013; 9:1–11.e3.

2. Muayqil T, Camicioli R. Systematic review and meta-analysis of combination therapy with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2012; 2:546–572.

3. Royall DR, Lauterbach EC, Kaufer D, Malloy P, Coburn KL, Black KJ. The cognitive correlates of functional status: a review from the Committee on Research of the American Neuropsychiatric Association. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2007; 19:249–265.

4. Yamaguchi H, Maki Y, Yamagami T. Overview of non-pharmacological intervention for dementia and principles of brain-activating rehabilitation. Psychogeriatrics. 2010; 10:206–213.

5. Clare L, Wilson BA, Carter G, Roth I, Hodges JR. Awareness in early-stage Alzheimer's disease: relationship to outcome of cognitive rehabilitation. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2004; 26:215–226.

6. Woolf CJ, Salter MW. Neuronal plasticity: increasing the gain in pain. Science. 2000; 288:1765–1769.

7. Yu F, Rose KM, Burgener SC, et al. Cognitive training for early-stage Alzheimer's disease and dementia. J Gerontol Nurs. 2009; 35:23–29.

8. Zhuang JP, Fang R, Feng X, Xu XH, Liu LH, Bai QK, et al. The impact of human-computer interaction-based comprehensive training on the cognitive functions of cognitive impairment elderly individuals in a nursing home. J Alzheimers Dis. 2013; 36:245–251.

9. Glisky EL, Schacter DL. Long-term retention of computer learning by patients with memory disorders. Neuropsychologia. 1988; 26:173–178.

10. Palmese CA, Raskin SA. The rehabilitation of attention in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury, using the APT-II programme. Brain Inj. 2000; 14:535–548.

11. Petersen RC, Doody R, Kurz A, Mohs RC, Morris JC, Rabins PV, et al. Current concepts in mild cognitive disorder. Arch Neurol. 2001; 58:1985–1992.

12. McKhann G, Drachman D, Folstein M, Katzman R, Price D, Stadian EM. Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: report of the NINCDS-ADRDA work group under the auspices of department of health and human services task force on Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1984; 34:939–944.

13. Kang YW. A normative study of the Korean-Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) in the elderly. Korean J Psychol. 2006; 25:12.

14. Morris JC. Clinical dementia rating: a reliable and valid diagnostic and staging measure for dementia of the Alzheimer type. Int Psychogeriatr. 1997; 9:Suppl 1. 173–176.

15. Kang YW, Na DL. Seoul neuropsychological screening battery. Incheon: Human Brain Research & Consulting Co.;2003.

16. Kim H, Na DL. Normative data on the Korean version of the Boston Naming Test. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1999; 21:127–133.

17. Meyers KR. Rey Complex Figure Test and recognition trial: professional manual. Lutz FL: Psychological Assessment Resources;1995.

18. Kang YW, Chin J, Na DL, Lee J, Park JS. A normative study of the Korean version of Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) in the elderly. Korean J Clin Psychol. 2000; 19:8.

19. Lee JH, Kang YW, Na DL. Efficiencies of Stroop Interference Indexes in Healthy Older Adults and Dementia Patients. Korean J Clin Psychol. 2000; 19:12.

20. Hofmann M, Hock C, Muller-Spahn F. Computer-based cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease patients. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1996; 777:249–254.

21. Lee GY, Yip CC, Yu EC, Man DW. Evaluation of a computer-assisted errorless learning-based memory training program for patients with early Alzheimer's disease in Hong Kong: a pilot study. Clin Interv Aging. 2013; 8:623–633.

22. Li H, Li J, Li N, Li B, Wang P, Zhou T. Cognitive intervention for persons with mild cognitive disorder: a meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev. 2011; 10:285–296.

23. Jansen DA, Keller ML. Identifying the attentional demands perceived by elderly people. Rehabil Nurs. 1998; 23:12–20.

24. Aguirre E, Woods RT, Spector A, Orrell M. Cognitive stimulation for dementia: a systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness from randomised controlled trials. Ageing Res Rev. 2013; 12:253–262.