Identifier	Thesis 1904
Author	Bieu, Rachel
Title	Efficacy of cognitive training intervention programs in healthy older adults and patients with dementia
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date	2007
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Notes	This research was designed to examine the efficacy of three cognitive training programs in two different populations. Study 1 examined the efficacy of (1) a group-based interactive training program (Mind Aerobics), (2) an individualized computer-based program (Adaptive Computerized Cognitive Training or ACCT), and (3) a combined program, a program combining Mind Aerobics and ACCT, in a population of healthy older adults. Study 2 examined the efficacy of (1) ACCT and (2) a combined program in a population of individuals having a dementia diagnosis, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or Parkinson's dementia (PD). Overall, results were mixed. The group-based interactive program (Mind Aerobics) appeared to be most effective within the population of healthy older adults. Individuals completing this intervention showed gains in new learning, spatial skills, short-term memory, visual motor tracking, psycho-motor speed, attention, cognitive flexibility, semantic fluency, and global cognitive functioning; a sole decline in general orientation was also found. Healthy older adults completing ACCT showed gains in spatial abilities and losses in visual motor tracking, psycho-motor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Healthy older adults completing the combined program showed gains in long term memory and a loss in global cognitive functioning. Unfortunately, individuals with dementia were not exposed to Mind Aerobics; these individuals were exposed to either ACCT or a combined program. Both programs yielded both gains and losses in cognitive and behavioral functioning. Individuals with dementia completing ACCT showed gains in visual memory, global cognitive functioning, and behavioral functioning and losses in visual motor speed and coordination. Individuals with dementia completing the combined program showed gains in abstract reasoning, spatial skills, and behavioral functioning and losses in visual motor speed, coordination, visual motor tracking, psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. The results of these two studies suggest that cognitive training may be effective in the treatment of cognitive decline in adults with and without dementia; effectiveness appears to vary with training program design. A subsequent study examining the efficacy of a group-based cognitive training program (Mind Aerobics) in individuals with dementia should be conducted.
Subject	Cognitive therapy Dementia
Department	Department of Psychology
Advisor	Mate-Kole, C. Charles
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	713734946
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Efficacy of cognitive training intervention programs in healthy older adults and patients with dementia

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