Memory Encoding Strategies for People With Mild Cognitive Impairments

NCT02953964 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Memory encoding
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 2 countries
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The purposes of the study are:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a perceptual-based training program in enhancing cognitive and everyday functioning of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a semantic-based training program in enhancing cognitive and everyday functioning of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment; Mild Dementia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Disability Assessment for Dementia

  Change in Disability Assessment for Dementia to assess assistance required in basic daily tasks such as dressing, bathing

  Within two days before the intervention and within two days after the 10-week intervention

• Change in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale

  Change in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale to assess assistance required in instrumental daily tasks such as laundry, meal preparation

  Within two days before the intervention and within two days after the 10-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Cognistat

  Within two days before the intervention and within two days after the 10-week intervention

• Change in Digit Span Test

  Within two days before the intervention and within two days after the 10-week intervention

• Change in Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease

  Within two days before the intervention and within two days after the 10-week intervention

Study Arms (3)

Behavioral: perceptual-based memory encoding training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive perceptual-based memory encoding training

Other: Behavioral: perceptual-based memory encoding training

Behavioral: Semantic-based memory encoding training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive semantic-based memory encoding training

Other: Behavioral: semantic-based memory encoding training

Behavioral : control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive cognitive stimulation intervention

Other: Behavioral: Cognitive stimulation group (control group)

Interventions

Behavioral: perceptual-based memory encoding training OTHER

Participants are trained in the use of perceptual-based memory encoding strategies, inclusive of visual imagery and the method of loci. Visual imagery involves the creation and encoding of mental images, while the method of loci refers to linking these images with specific places to facilitate memory (Simon et al., 2012). Participants are taught to visualise performing each step of a task in a familiar environment, such as in their home (Liu et al., 2009). After participants can correctly visualise the entire task, they then progress to actually performing the task. During the intervention sessions, 2-3 tasks are covered each session, and these tasks become progressively difficult as the weeks progress. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks with one session every week. Each session runs for 90 minutes. A follow-up home training program is run once a week for 30 minutes with the participant and their care-giver.

Behavioral: perceptual-based memory encoding training

Behavioral: semantic-based memory encoding training OTHER

Participants are asked to encode the steps of a task by forming an association of the steps and sequence. Participants are trained in the use of the chunking association method and honeycomb concept and perform different tasks each week, implementing this encoding strategy (Lim et al., 2012). The chunking association method breaks down information into smaller parts and helps with the encoding and retrieval of information. The honeycomb concept allows the steps to form a story in relation to place, time, characters, problem and solution and the story is verbalised. Participants then complete the task. During the intervention sessions, 2-3 tasks are covered each session, and these tasks become progressively difficult as the weeks progress. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks with one session every week. Each session runs for 90 minutes. A follow-up home training program is run once a week for 30 minutes with the participant and their care-giver.

Behavioral: Semantic-based memory encoding training

Behavioral: Cognitive stimulation group (control group) OTHER

Participants receiving cognitive stimulation intervention. It consists of eight sessions that train participants' visual attention and memory, auditory attention and memory and their application in daily activities. Two sessions are also given which allow for participants to apply the training practically in their daily lives. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks with one session every week. Each session runs for 90 minutes. A follow-up home training program is run once a week for 30 minutes with the participant and their care-giver.

Also known as: Cognitive stimulation group

Behavioral : control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Selection Criteria: * are aged 60 or above; * have no previous psychiatric or memory disorder history or other neurological illness; * have Mini-mental State Examination score (MMSE) greater than or equal to 21; * have Clinical Dementia Rating score (CDR) of 0.5 or 1 indicating very mild and mild dementia; * do not show sign of depression with score below 9 out of 30 in the Geriatric Depression Scale; * are able to communicate effectively; * have family member who can participate in the study; and * voluntarily consent to participate in the study.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Western Sydney: lead

Study Sites (2)

Western Sydney University

Penrith, New South Wales, 2751, Australia

Location

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Mraz H, Tong CY, Liu KPY. Semantic-based memory-encoding strategy and cognitive stimulation in enhancing cognitive function and daily task performance for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot non-randomised cluster controlled trial. PLoS One. 2023 Mar 27;18(3):e0283449. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283449. eCollection 2023.

  PMID: 36972279 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2016
• First Posted: November 3, 2016
• Study Start: May 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2015
• Study Completion: October 1, 2015
• Last Updated: November 3, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1); HK (1)