Prefrontal Cortex Dynamics of the Elderly During a Cognitive Stimulation Programme

Summary

This research aims to evaluate the effect of cognitive stimulation (CS) on the functioning of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), seeking an analysis of both cerebral hemodynamics in neuroplasticity and aspects related to the initiation of neurodegenerative processes. The intervention presents an individual format and the participants are elderly without or with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). Concretely, to assess the effects of individual CS on global cognition, and mood, as well as to analyze neuronal activity with oxygenation, volume and blood flow in the brain, evaluating the impact of cognitive stimulation on brain hemodynamics. Participants in the intervention group receive two 45 min-session of CS per week for 12 weeks in addition to their treatment as usual. Participants in the control group will maintain their treatment as usual.

Conditions

• Dementia
• Neurocognitive Disorders
• Cognitive Impairment
• Cognitive Dysfunction
• Cognitive Decline
• Cognition Disorders in Old Age

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST)

The intervention group will receive 24 individual CS sessions per participant. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and will have the following structure: session introduction (5 minutes); reality orientation (10 minutes); stimulation of cognitive domain (25 minutes); session closure (5 minutes). The sessions will be led by a previously trained therapist. The intervention program will include several activities based on the principles of CS and adjusted for participants without any neurocognitive disorder.

PROCEDURE

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

The acquisition by fNIRS will be performed in each CS session in four regions of interest (ROIs) in the prefrontal cortex: left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC); left medial prefrontal cortex (LMPFC); right medial prefrontal cortex (RMPFC); right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (RDLPFC).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CEDIARA - Assoc. Solidariedade Social de Ribeira de Fráguas

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Susana I Justo Henriques, Ph.D. · Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra

• Rosa C Gomes Silva, Ph.D. · Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra

• Telmo A Santos Pereira, Ph.D. · Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School

• João L Alves Apóstolo, Ph.D. · Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra

• Daniel F Borges Silva, M.Sc. · Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-04-14

Primary Completion

2021-04-30

Completion

2021-08-31

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations