Computerized Cognitive Intervention in the Oldest-Old

Summary

Little is known about preventive strategies with immediate public health impact for cognitive functioning in the oldest-old (OO). Cognitive training improves cognitive functioning in the young-old (YO; 60 to 84), yet has not been examined in the OO.

Clinical trials are needed to determine if computerized cognitive training is effective at preventing or delaying cognitive decline in the OO. In order to develop such trials, information regarding use of computers and internet by the OO, and the ability and interest in such a program, must be determined.

This study will examine the effects of a computerized cognitive training program, CogniFit™, with a "classic" computerized games program, on cognitive functioning in cognitively healthy OO subjects. Information regarding use of computers and internet by the OO will be collected. Interest in and ability to complete a computerized cognitive training program will be examined, along with the cognitive, demographic, biological, and lifestyle characteristics related to this interest and ability.

Efficacy of the CogniFit™ and games programs will be assessed immediately following the training and four months after completing the training. The researchers expect that those who use the CogniFit™ program will have greater improvements than those using the games program. Finally, the participants' characteristics related to the efficacy of the programs will be examined.

Subjects recruited for this project will include those already participating in several studies of aging and cognition at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Recruiting from this pool of subjects will provide this program with baseline information regarding numerous subject characteristics, including cognition, family history, lifestyle, and cardiovascular information.

This study will inform future large-scale clinical trials of computerized cognitive training programs in the elderly, as well as provide information regarding the efficacy of such training in the OO. In addition, the study will identify characteristics affecting efficacy of computerized training, and thus, may suggest mechanisms through which cognitive training improves cognitive functioning in the most senior citizens of our society.

Conditions

• Cognition
• Dementia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CogniFit™

The program utilizes 21 tasks, which may develop 14 cognitive domains: awareness, inhibition, spatial perception, visual short term memory, working memory, hand-eye coordination, visual scanning, response time, divided attention, time estimation, visual perception, shifting, naming, and planning.

BEHAVIORAL

Control-games

The program utilizes classic computer games, which may develop cognitive domains. Games will be used over 8 weeks. The participants will use the program 3 days a week, with one rest day between each session. Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes. The participant will use the program for a total number of 24 sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michal Schnaider-Beeri, PhD · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-03-10

Primary Completion

2014-12-16

Completion

2014-12-16

Countries

• United States

Study Locations