An Examination of Visual Perceptual Training

NCT03763344 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 19-123
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 73
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Perceptual-cognitive training (PCT) is a computerized software game has been shown to improve sport performance in young elite athletes and even to aid in recovery speeds post-concussion. PCT may represent a unique type of training that could ultimately enhance cognitive performance or quality of life in all populations. What is not clear is whether PCT is beneficial to older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMCs). SMCs in older adults are an early risk indicator for Alzheimer's disease, making older adults with SMCs a target population for proactive interventions. The aim of this study was to determine if PCT can serve as a proactive intervention and enhance cognitive abilities in older adults with SMCs. The results of this research protocol introduce a new way of prevention from cognitive decline in healthy older adults and may introduce a new training programs for age-related memory disorder.

Conditions

Age-Related Memory Disorders

Keywords

memory; visual spatial training; multiple object tracking; Elderly

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in memory performance in older adults with SMCs

  Assessed by CALIFORNIA VERBAL LEARNING TEST

  First neuropsychological assessment (Baseline). After seven week period both groups underwent the second neuropsychological assessment (Week 7). After eleven weeks a follow-up assessment was conducted (Week 11).

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in processing speed in older adults with SMCs

  First neuropsychological assessment (Baseline). After seven week period both groups underwent the second neuropsychological assessment (Week 7). After eleven weeks a follow-up assessment was conducted (Week 11).

• Change in cognitive flexibility in older adults with SMCs

  First neuropsychological assessment (Baseline). After seven week period both groups underwent the second neuropsychological assessment (Week 7). After eleven weeks a follow-up assessment was conducted (Week 11).

• Change in cognitive flexibility in older adults with SMCs

  First neuropsychological assessment (Baseline). After seven week period both groups underwent the second neuropsychological assessment (Week 7). After eleven weeks a follow-up assessment was conducted (Week 11).

• Change in working memory in in older adults with SMCs

  First neuropsychological assessment (Baseline). After seven week period both groups underwent the second neuropsychological assessment (Week 7). After eleven weeks a follow-up assessment was conducted (Week 11).

Study Arms (2)

Cohort C

EXPERIMENTAL

Older adults over the age of 60 years old with subjective memory complaints that underwent: * the first cognitive assessment (Baseline), * intervention is fourteen sessions of Perceptual Cognitive Training (PCT) for seven weeks, * a post-treatment cognitive assessment (Week 7), and * a follow up cognitive assessment (Week 11)

Behavioral: Perceptual Cognitive Training (PCT)

Cohort D

NO INTERVENTION

Older adults over the age of 60 years old with subjective memory complaints that underwent: * the first cognitive assessment (baseline), * seven weeks of no intervention, * a post-treatment cognitive assessment (week 7), and * a follow up cognitive assessment (week 11)

Interventions

Perceptual Cognitive Training (PCT) BEHAVIORAL

Perceptual Cognitive Training (PCT) will be performed by having individuals work with a visual perceptual training software program called NeuroTracker. This device uses Multiple Object Tracking at increasing difficulties to develop high-level brain functions critical to recovery \& cognitive health. By increasing in difficulty with each correct response and decreasing in difficulty when mistakes are made, brain function is constantly challenged. Each session (6 mins) delivers a series of mini-tests where the patient needs to remember key targets, then track them moving among distractors for several seconds and then identify them. Simple to do, but always challenging, NeuroTracker adaptively optimizes difficulty to each patient's level, maximizing cognitive stimulation every step of the way.

Cohort C

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 60 and over;
• Have subjective cognitive complaints;
• The results of the screening test Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) should be ≥ 24 (this test is used only at baseline visit to verify if the participant might be included in the sample or not).

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of medical diagnosis of a Major Neurocognitive Disorder (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, front temporal lobe dementia, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia),
• Presence of sensory deficits (e.g. colour blindness, monocular/binocular blindness, macular degeneration),
• Presence of psychiatric disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety),
• The participants with scores under 24 at MMSE screening test will be excluded and sent to the family doctor (i.e. to minimize the risk of including people with pre-clinical dementia).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Victoria: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia, V8P5C2, Canada

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Berry AS, Zanto TP, Clapp WC, Hardy JL, Delahunt PB, Mahncke HW, Gazzaley A. The influence of perceptual training on working memory in older adults. PLoS One. 2010 Jul 14;5(7):e11537. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011537.

  PMID: 20644719 BACKGROUND

• Anguera JA, Boccanfuso J, Rintoul JL, Al-Hashimi O, Faraji F, Janowich J, Kong E, Larraburo Y, Rolle C, Johnston E, Gazzaley A. Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature. 2013 Sep 5;501(7465):97-101. doi: 10.1038/nature12486.

  PMID: 24005416 BACKGROUND

• Cavanagh P, Alvarez GA. Tracking multiple targets with multifocal attention. Trends Cogn Sci. 2005 Jul;9(7):349-54. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2005.05.009.

  PMID: 15953754 BACKGROUND

• Parsons B, Magill T, Boucher A, Zhang M, Zogbo K, Berube S, Scheffer O, Beauregard M, Faubert J. Enhancing Cognitive Function Using Perceptual-Cognitive Training. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2016 Jan;47(1):37-47. doi: 10.1177/1550059414563746. Epub 2014 Dec 30.

  PMID: 25550444 BACKGROUND

• Tullo D, Guy J, Faubert J, Bertone A. Training with a three-dimensional multiple object-tracking (3D-MOT) paradigm improves attention in students with a neurodevelopmental condition: a randomized controlled trial. Dev Sci. 2018 Nov;21(6):e12670. doi: 10.1111/desc.12670. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

  PMID: 29707864 BACKGROUND

• Faubert J. Visual perception and aging. Can J Exp Psychol. 2002 Sep;56(3):164-76. doi: 10.1037/h0087394.

  PMID: 12271747 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Memory Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Brian R. Christie, Ph.D

  University of Victoria

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, CIHR Delegate and Health Research Advisory Committee Chair Division of Medical Sciences,

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 22, 2018
• First Posted: December 4, 2018
• Study Start: June 28, 2017
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2018
• Study Completion: July 15, 2018
• Last Updated: October 5, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)