Preliminary evidence for the feasibility of at-home online cognitive training with older adults
K.L. Gigler, K. Blomeke, E. Shatil, S. Weintraub, P.J. Reber
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AbstractIncreased levels of cognitive activity may improve general cognitive function in older adults and potentially increase cognitive reserve, protecting against the onset of dementia associated with syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease.To test the efficacy of cognitive training administered online, 18 participants (11 cognitively healthy; 7 mild cognitive impairment) were recruited from a clinical population of older adults to complete an online training intervention (CogniFit™). Before and
after training, participants completed a separate battery of assessment measures, including
measures of quality of life and competency at everyday activities, as well as a series of tests
assessing cognitive function. Participants generally adhered to the online training protocol
and completed a computerized assessment battery pre- and post-training. However, participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were somewhat less likely to adhere to the protocol, suggesting that more direct contact is needed with this population in intervention research. Furthermore, participants demonstrated significant improvement on a measure of working memory and also in processing speed across several assessments, though these data are tentative, as no control data exist. These results, along with the generally good adherence observed, suggest that online cognitive training is feasible for this population and a potentially valuable tool for the wider dissemination of cognitive training.Keywords: cognitive training; human factors; mild cognitive impairment
K.L. Gigler, K. Blomeke, E. Shatil, S. Weintraub, P.J. Reber (2013). Preliminary evidence for the feasibility of at-home online cognitive training with older adults. Gerontechnology, 12(1), 26-35
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2013.12.1.007.00