Dement Neurocogn Disord.  2017 Mar;16(1):7-11. 10.12779/dnd.2017.16.1.7.

Improvement of Cognitive Function after Computer-Based Cognitive Training in Early Stage of Alzheimer's Dementia

• Yang Y
• Kwak YT

• KMID: 2442829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12779/dnd.2017.16.1.7

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Cognitive training is known to be an effective tool in enhancing cognitive functioning. Research has also shown that playing video game improves certain aspects of visual attention and cognitive processing speed. The effect of computer-based cognitive training has not been demonstrated so far. This study therefore evaluated whether computer-based cognitive training improved the cognitive abilities in patients with early stage of Alzheimer's dementia.
METHODS
Totally, 20 participants (early stage of Alzheimer's dementia) participated in this study. To test the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive training programs to cognition, all patients were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n=10) or a control group (n=10). The intervention group regularly received 24 sessions of computer-based cognitive training, over a 12 week period. Neuropsychological examinations were conducted before and after this training period.
RESULTS
After 12 weeks, the intervention group showed a significant change in language of Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), compared with the baseline cognitive examinations. Also, there was greater improvement in language, attention, calculation, verbal memory, and frontal function for the experimental group, as compared with controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Computer-based cognitive training might have beneficial effects on the general cognitive functions in early stage of Alzheimer's dementia.

Keyword

Alzheimer's dementia; computer-based cognitive training; cognition

MeSH Terms

Cognition*
Dementia*
Education
Humans
Memory
Video Games

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