Computerized Cognitive Training in Healthy Older Adults and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Summary

The overall objective of this study is to assess the effect of an adaptive computerized cognitive training program for executive functions (CogniFit platform) on improving these functions in older adults, both healthy and with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as well as to examine the potential transfer effects of this training on memory. Additionally, determine the impact of the intervention on the emotional symptoms, behavioral disorders, or quality of life of the participants.

Interventions

• Computerized Cognitive Training · BEHAVIORAL

  Participants in the experimental groups (Group 2: trained healthy individuals; Group 4: trained individuals with mild cognitive impairment) will use an online cognitive training platform (CogniFit®) consisting of multiple interactive games designed to train reasoning and executive functions. Training activities will target key executive processes related to reasoning, including processing speed, planning, working memory updating, focused attention, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. Each session will consist of several short games or exercises presented on a tablet screen, which participants will complete by following simple instructions and receiving immediate feedback on their performance. Exercise difficulty will automatically adapt to participants' performance, as the activities are designed to impose a relatively high cognitive demand. Participants will complete sessions lasting approximately 15-30 minutes, at least twice per week, over a period of 8-12 weeks.

• Active Control Computerized Activities · BEHAVIORAL

  Participants in the active control groups (Group 1: healthy control; Group 3: MCI control) will also use the CogniFit platform. However, in this condition, participants will engage in simple recreational computerized activities designed to control for screen exposure, participant engagement, and expectancy effects (e.g., digital coloring tasks, visual puzzles, and contour-tracing activities), without specifically targeting higher-order cognitive functions. Participants will complete sessions lasting approximately 15-30 minutes, at least twice per week, over a period of 8-12 weeks.

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. adults 65 years of age and older;
2. spanish speakers;
3. residents in Spain (urban and rural communities);
4. elderly population that does not have dementia or other major diagnosed uncontrolled neurological disorders;
5. the initial cognitive state will be determined by a global screening test, the Lobo's Mini Cognitive Examination, that is, the spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); and 6) all participants must provide their signed written informed consent indicating that the individual has been informed of the relevant aspects of the study (and may withdraw from the study at any time if they so request).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Older adults who obtain scores indicative of severe impairment (to be determined for low MEC scores that are suggestive of incipient dementia) or whose medical condition prevents them from participating safely;
2. diagnosis of dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease or other);
3. uncontrolled active major psychiatric illness (major depression, schizophrenia, etc.);
4. significant uncontrolled neurological conditions or history (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke, severe traumatic brain injury);
5. uncontrolled decompensated chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease) that may affect cognition or attendance at sessions; and 6) severe uncorrected sensory disabilities (e.g., blindness or severe hearing loss) that interfere with the performance of tasks on tablets.

Sites (2)

• Nebrija University, Madrid, Madrid · Recruiting
• Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Madrid · Recruiting