The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the alternative uses training (AUT) and word association training (WAT) on cognitive functions and mood symptoms in late-life depression (LLD). The hypotheses are: 1. post-training cognitive performance will be superior to pre-training cognitive performance 2. post-training depressive symptomatology will be less severe as compared with pre-training clinical severity and 3. AUT group will show better post-training cognitive performance and improved mood symptoms when compared with the WAT group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
6
20 minutes/day for 5 sequential working days
Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Changes in cognitive functions including fluid intelligence, executive function, language, memory and motor speed
Computerized Executive Tasks: * Number-Letter Task * Letter-Memory Task * Stroop Task Non-Computerized Measures: * Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test * Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2)
Time frame: Within 3 days before the first cognitive training day and within 3 days after the last cognitive training day
Changes in mood including depression, anxiety and apathy
* Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) * Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) * Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Ham-A) * Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Time frame: Within 3 days before the first cognitive training day and within 3 days after the last cognitive training day
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