Memory Aid - Working Memory Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. (MCI)

May 22, 2014 updated by: Sorlandet Hospital HF

Memory Aid - Computer Based Working Memory Training in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background:

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by memory problems more severe than normal cognitive changes due to old age, and less severe than dementia. Reduced working memory (WM) is regarded as one of the core symptoms of an MCI-condition. Recent studies have indicated that WM can be improved trough computer based training.

Objectives:

The objective of the study is to evaluate if working memory training is effective in improving working memory in elderly MCI-patients. Further, to evaluate if cognitive training relates to structural changes in the white and gray matter of the brain, assessed by structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Cognitive phenotypes related to memory impairment and progression to dementia will also be investigated.

Patients and Methods:

The proposed study is a blinded, randomized and controlled trail that will include 90 elderly patients from a Memory Clinic diagnosed with MCI. The groups will be randomized to either training or a placebo version. The intervention is computerized working memory training performed for 45 minutes over 25 sessions. Neuropsychological assessment and structural MRI will be performed before, 6 and 12 months after training.

Relevance:

Currently there is no known treatment available for mild memory impairment/MCI, and few studies on specific cognitive training in MCI-patients have been performed. The proposed study has received funding from a Norwegian Health Region. If computer based training results in positive changes to memory functions in MCI patients this may represent a new, cost-effective treatment. Secondly, evaluation of training induced structural changes to grey or white matter may improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind effective cognitive interventions in MCI patients.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

90

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

55 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients who meet the Peterson diagnostic criteria of MCI:

    1. memory complaints (preferably confirmed by an informant).
    2. memory impairment according to age and education.
    3. preserved general cognitive function.
    4. intact activities of daily living, absence of dementia.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • head trauma with post-traumatic loss of conscience for 30 minutes during lifespan.
  • loss of senses (blindness, deafness).
  • photo-sensitive epilepsy.
  • unsuitability for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-examination due to metal foreign bodies or severe claustrophobia.
  • drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Sham Comparator: Computerized Working Memory Training.
The Working Memory Training, includes both auditive and visual tasks, administrated on a computer, under guidance. 5 x 45 minutes per week, for 5 weeks. The placebo group will train at an fixed level (non-adaptive), but with otherwise identical computer programs.
Device: Computerized Working Memory Training.
Auditive and visual Working Memory tasks, administrated on a computer under guidance. 5 x 45 minutes per week, for 5 weeks. The intervention group will train at an "adaptive" level that is not to difficult nor to easy, which is hypothesized as optimal for learning and training effect. The placebo group will train with a "sham" program that is fixed ("non-adaptive" in difficulty level), but otherwise identical.
Other Names:
  • Cogmed (r) from Pearson Assessment Inc.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Working Memory function.
Time Frame: Changes from baseline (3, 6 and 12 months after intervention).
The study seeks to assess changes in the patients working memory function after an intervention of working memory training.The construct of "Working Memory" is measured on several levels: by neuropsychological tests (cognitive level), assessment of daily living skills (ADL-level), and measures of changes in the brains white and gray matter in areas that are correlated with working memory function (brain level).
Changes from baseline (3, 6 and 12 months after intervention).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Episodic memory function.
Time Frame: Changes from baseline (3, 6 and 12 months after intervention).
We will measure the patients results on a word list task, both immediate and delayed recall, as well as recognition. Low scores on word list learning is associated with progression to dementia. It is anticipated that patients with MCI are at risk for developing dementia. The study seeks to investigate if there is a correlation between the results on memory tests and progression to dementia in this patient group.
Changes from baseline (3, 6 and 12 months after intervention).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sorlandet Hospital HF

Investigators

  • Study Director: Svein Gunnar Gundersen, PhD, Head of research department

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

December 1, 2015

Study Completion (Anticipated)

December 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 18, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 18, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

November 25, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

May 23, 2014

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 22, 2014

Last Verified

May 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MCI Working Memory Training.

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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