A Brief Review of Selected Cognitive Remediation Therapies for Older Adults

Abstract

Cognitive reserve theories posit that subtle cognitive declines occur as a function of normal aging as well as a host of physiological, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Such cognitive declines can impair everyday functioning and reduce quality of life in older adults. Fortunately, cognitive remediation interventions continue to be developed, refined, and validated in multiple populations and contexts. Such cognitive remediation interventions promote neuroplasticity and increase cognitive reserve, which facilitate successful cognitive aging. With the efficacy of such cognitive remediation interventions, improvement in specific cognitive abilities as well as everyday functioning can occur, resulting in better adaptation to age-related changes. Underlying principles of cognitive remediation interventions are stated. Concomitantly, several cognitive remediation interventions are elucidated; limitations and strengths are provided for practical implementation of such techniques. Finally, implications for continued research in this area are suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Speed of processing
• mild cognitive impairment
• neuroplasticity

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David E. Vance

Jennifer R. Johnson was a graduate student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX at the time of this study. She is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, LA

Debra Stewart is Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and staff therapist at Erinoak Centre, Missis-sauga, Ontario. She is currently completing a MSc (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) at McMaster University.

Ronald L. Mace (deceased, June 29, 1998) was also affiliated with The Center for Universal Design, School of Design, North Carolina University.

Lois Rosage and Geraldine Shaw are Occupational Therapist Consultants who provide evaluations for the housing programs at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

Debbie Rand is Occupational Therapist, Beit Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel. She completed this study in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her mailing address is 50 Heh B'Eyar Street, Apartment 5, Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel, 48056.

Maureen McKenna is a Licensed Physical Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. Her Current position is: Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Heather Lambert was funded in part by a Health Canada NHRDP Fellowship, a REPAR Fellowship, a doctoral bursary from the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Quebec, and a Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation-Royal Canadian Legion Fellowship in Gerontology.

Trish Wielandt was supported by a University of Queensland Postgraduate Research Scholarship (UQPRS).

Dr. Leigh Tooth was supported by a NHMRC Fellowship (#997032) while some of this research was undertaken.

J. D. “Herb” Herbert is Occupational Therapist, Rocky Mountain Menders LLC, 363 Pioneer Road, Lyons, CO 80540. At the time of this study, he was a graduate student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.