Use of computer assisted and interactive cognitive training programmes with moderate to severely demented individuals: A preliminary study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of interactive cognitive training and computer-assisted programmes in reducing decline in older adults with dementia. The primary goal of this programme was to maintain participants’ level of cognitive function. This study included six moderately to severely demented older adults living in a secured memory-impairment unit within an assisted living community. The participants were assessed with neuropsychological tests prior to, and immediately following, an intensive six-week cognitive training programme. The results showed that the participants improved significantly on measures of overall cognitive function, including short-term memory and cognitive failures. Caregiver reports also indicated significant improvement in the participants’ behaviour signs and socialization. Additionally, these participants did not demonstrate significant decline on any of the measures from pre-test to post-test levels. This preliminary study indicates that a combined interactive cognitive training and individual-based computer training programme may effectively reduce decline and even improve some cognitive and behavioural functioning in demented older adults. A follow-up of the participants after four weeks of no training revealed some decline in some of the cognitive and behavioural measures, thus supporting the effectiveness of the training programmes.

Acknowledgements

The study was partly funded by a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services to the New England Cognitive in Hartford, Connecticut. We acknowledge the assistance of Dee LaJoie, Rachel Howd and Warren Strong of Atria Hamilton Heights in West Hartford, Connecticut, and Dr. Louise Loomis, Founder of the New England Cognitive for her support. We thank Dr. John Connolly of Dalhousie University for his useful comments of the paper, and Dr. Anjali Thapar for her input.