A Computer-based Memory Strategy Training Program for Older Adults

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age65+
SponsorThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

About this trial

A computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program based on daily tasks utilising the semantic encoding strategies called Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life) has been developed for Chinese people. The aim of the E-MinD Life is to delay functional deterioration associated with possible cognitive changes in healthy older adults, older adults with memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. This project will pilot-test the E-MinD Life in Chinese healthy older adults, older adults with memory complaints, MCI and mild dementia.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

None

Disqualifiers

None

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • E-MinD Life Semantic

    Behavioral

    The E-MinD Life programme is designed to teach semantic memory strategies. The memory strategies are applied to 12 common daily activities required for community living, e.g. meal preparation, laundry activities, and built into the E-MinD Life programme on a computer-based platform. The intervention runs over 9 weeks with one 45-minute individual face-to-face or online healthcare-professional-led session and two 30-minute, family-assisted home sessions per week. During the home sessions, participants will complete the same activities as those learnt during the healthcare-professional-led sessions. Family members or carers will be invited to join the healthcare-professional-led sessions as observers and support the participants in the home sessions if needed.

  • Cognitive stimulation

    Behavioral

    Participants will receive stimulation for visual attention and memory through activities such as playing a game that requires them to find missing pieces, and auditory attention and memory through activities such as remembering a song. The intervention will adopt a similar structure as the E-MinD Life Semantic group, with one 45-minute individual face-to-face or online healthcare-professional-led session and two 30-minute, family-assisted home sessions per week for 9 weeks.

Treatment groups

60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: E-MinD Life SemanticExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Cognitive stimulationActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Accceptability

Acceptability is measured using a structured questionnaire divided into five sections: (1) the therapist-led group sessions, (2) the self-administered individual sessions, and (3) the computer program interface and iPad usability, (4) the overall program design and structure and (5) overall satisfaction. Participants are invited to give quantitative ratings on four dimensions under each section: (a) perceived effectiveness (e.g., whether the program improved cognitive strategy use), (b) relevance (e.g., how applicable the activities were to daily life), (c) convenience (e.g., ease) and (d) clarity. Responses are collected using a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 "Completely disagree" to 4 "Completely agree," with higher scores indicating greater acceptability.

Time frame
End of the intervention at 9 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Feasibility by measuring the attendance rate

Feasibility by measuring the intervention attendance rate

Time frame
Through the intervention for 9 weeks, attendance at each session
2

Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB)

The CERAD-NAB provides a profile on cognitive function by assessing cognitive deficits and was validated in a Chinese version. This study will use all subtests, including Verbal Fluency (J1), Boston's Naming (J2), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE, J3), Word List Memory (J4), Constructional Praxis (J5), Word List Recall (J6), Word List Recognition (J7) and Recall of Constructional Praxis (J8). The total score ranges from 0 -115 with a higher score indicating better performance.

Time frame
From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks
3

Digit Span Test

The Digit Span Test consists of Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB), measures immediate verbal recall, attentional capacity and working memory. The score is the number of digits in the longest successfully recalled sequence. A higher score indicates a better performance.

Time frame
From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks
4

Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale

The self-reported Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale-Chinese version (IADLS) assesses one's ability to independently perform eight domains of instrumental daily activities such as meal preparation, laundry work, and shopping. The scale consists of nine items, each rated on a 3-point or 4-point scale, with a total score ranging from 0 to 18 or higher. A higher score indicates a better performance

Time frame
From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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