Efficacy of Computer-Based Cognitive Game Training for Healthy Elderly

NCT03940079 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 201804055RINC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The declination on cognitive and motor functions in older adults increases the difficulty to achieve successful aging. Previous studies had reported that contrast to the traditional cognitive training methods, computer cognitive training (CCT) is comparable or has better effect on the cognitive function improvement with elders.On the other hand, some researchers claimed motor-cognitive dual-task training may possess greater effects than single cognitive training on cognitive functions. However, it is still on debate. Therefore, the research aims to investigate cognitive and motor benefits to healthy older adults over 65s trained by our computer-based cognitive game with high and low level of motor engagements.The research questions include: (1) Is CCT beneficial of cognitive functions? (2) Does CCT with high level of motor engagements (i.e. motor-cognitive dual-task training) have greater effects than single cognitive training on cognitive functions? (3) Can the training effect remain?

Conditions

Aging; Cognitive Function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Change from Baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Taiwan Version at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  overall cognitive function

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Digit Span Task-forward (DS-forward) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  short-term memory

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Color Trails Test-2 (CTT-2) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  divided attention

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  inhibitory function

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  motor function of upper limbs

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Get-Up and Go Test (GUG) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  motor function of lower limbs and balance

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

• Change from Baseline Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) at the 4th, 8th and 16th weeks

  motor function of lower limbs and balance

  baseline, 4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest, 16th weeks follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change from 4th weeks Game1 (first scenario) evaluated the performance of short-term memory at 8th weeks

  4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest

• Change from 4th weeks Game2 (second scenario) evaluated divided attention at 8th weeks

  4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest

• Change from 4th weeks Game3 (third scenario) evaluated inhibitory function at 8th weeks

  4th weeks pretest, 8th weeks posttest

Study Arms (2)

gross-motor group (GMG)

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants of GMG received motor-cognitive dual-task training. The sensors used by the participants were four different colored buttons. The participants wear a suit with two buttons on the shoulders and the other two fasten on the knees by velcros. To accomplish the tasks, the participants had to slap the correct colored buttons. The stretching of upper or lower limbs was demanding while slapping, so the participants of GMG received a training which required cognitive and motor functions at the same time. The participants attended 2 sessions per week and lasted for 4 weeks. Each session lasted 75 minutes, mainly including 30 minutes for game introduction and warm-up, 30 minutes for game training, and 15 minutes for rest during the training. Each task lasted 10 minutes, and each session contained 3 tasks. The game difficulty could be adjusted automatically according to the performance of participants.

Device: computer-based cognitive game (including 3 training tasks)

fine-motor group (FMG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participants of FMG received cognitive training only. Four colored sensors used by the participants were the keys on the keyboard of the laptop. The participants simply pressed correct colored keys by fingers to complete the tasks. The participants attended 2 sessions per week and lasted for 4 weeks. Each session lasted 75 minutes, mainly including 30 minutes for game introduction and warm-up, 30 minutes for game training, and 15 minutes for rest during the training. Each task lasted 10 minutes, and each session contained 3 tasks. The game difficulty could be adjusted automatically according to the performance of participants.

Device: computer-based cognitive game (including 3 training tasks)

Interventions

computer-based cognitive game (including 3 training tasks) DEVICE

First task was short-term memory training. Participants were instructed to memorize different colored circles with ordinal numbers which would disappear later. They triggered correct colored sensor in sequence according to their memory. Second task was divided attention training. Different colored circles with ordinal numbers would not disappear this time.The participants should trigger correct colored sensor according to their sequence. Third task was inhibitory function training. There were red and green lights, just like the traffic light, hung up at the upper left of the scene. Red light represented prohibition of triggering the colored sensor, while green light urged to trigger it. Yellow, red, blue and green circles showed up randomly and moved toward the beige region. When the circle came extremely closer to the beige region, the traffic light was randomized to lighten up red or green.The participants should judge and trigger the correct colored sensor.

fine-motor group (FMG); gross-motor group (GMG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• ≥ 65 years old
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 18
• clear eyesight and hearing
• both upper and lower limbs are functional
• normal communication

You may not qualify if:

• injury, fracture, and breathing problem
• surgery during the research
• severe disease affecting cognitive functions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, 100, Taiwan

Location

Study Officials

• Central Contact Backup Mao

  National Taiwan University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2019
• First Posted: May 7, 2019
• Study Start: May 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: June 27, 2018
• Study Completion: June 27, 2018
• Last Updated: August 11, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)