The effects of an 8-week computerized cognitive training program in older adults: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Lisanne F Ten Brinke, John R Best, Rachel A Crockett, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Lisanne F Ten Brinke, John R Best, Rachel A Crockett, Teresa Liu-Ambrose

Abstract

Background: Given the world's aging population, it is important to identify strategies that promote healthy cognitive aging and minimize cognitive decline. Currently, no curative pharmaceutical therapy exists for cognitive impairment and dementia. As a result, there is much interest in lifestyle approaches. Specifically, complex mental activity, such as cognitive training, may be a promising method to combat cognitive decline in older adults. As such, the industry of commercial computerized cognitive training (CCT) applications has rapidly grown in the last decade. However, the efficacy of these commercial products is largely not established. Moreover, exercise is a recognized strategy for promoting cognitive outcomes in older adults and may augment the efficacy of computerized cognitive training applications. Therefore, we propose a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effect of a commercial CCT program in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: An 8-week RCT to examine the effect of a commercial CCT program, alone and preceded by a 15-min brisk walk, on cognitive function and explore the underlying neural mechanisms in adults aged 65-85 years old. Participants will be randomized to one of three intervention groups: 1) Computerized cognitive training (FBT); 2) A 15-min brisk walk followed by computerized cognitive training (Ex-FBT); or 3) A combination of educational classes, sham cognitive training, and balanced and tone exercises (active control, BAT). Participants in all intervention groups will attend three one-hour classes per week over the course of the intervention. Participants will be assessed at baseline, trial completion, and 1-year post study completion (1-year follow-up).

Discussion: If results from this study show benefits for cognition at trial completion, CCT programs, alone or in combination with walking, might be a strategy to promote healthy cognitive aging in older adults. In addition, results from the 1-year follow-up measurement could provide important information regarding the long-term benefits of these CCT programs.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT02564809; registered September 1, 2015.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Community-dwelling older adults; Computerized cognitive training; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mild cognitive impairment.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ information

LTB is a Mitacs Accelerate Doctoral Trainee. TLA is a Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity, Mobility and Cognitive Neuroscience. JRB is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Postdoctoral Fellow.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

For this study, ethical approval has been obtained from UBC CREB (H14–02438, December 3 2014) and from the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (V14–02438, July 13 2015). Informed consent from all participants will be obtained prior to study commencement.

Consent for publication

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The contract between the university and industry partner (i.e., Rosetta Stone Inc.) states that the researchers are not restricted by Rosetta Stone Inc. in any way to publish the outcomes of this RCT.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of participant flow
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Participant timeline

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