The current study is designed to test the effectiveness of online programs for memory and executive functions in healthy aging. The investigators are testing online adaptations of two cognitive interventions that have been extensively studied, validated, and implemented in clinical settings: The Memory \& Aging Program (MAP) targets normal memory change in healthy aging, and Goal Management Training (GMT) targets executive functioning deficits in a variety of cognitive and neurological conditions including healthy aging. Both programs combine psycho-education, targeted skills training and clinical support to empower participants with knowledge and strategies to harness their cognitive faculties. These programs are being tested against a waitlist control as well as against a commercial/research brain training platform (Cambridge Brain Sciences) in a design comparing performance on memory and executive functioning measures before and after the interventions/controls. The main hypothesis is that MAP will lead to memory-specific improvements above control conditions, whereas GMT will lead to greater improvements in measures of executive functions relative to controls.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
800
Pre-recorded videos and games combine psycho-education, targeted skills training, and mindfulness practice to teach a system where participants can take control of their attention and cognitive faculties.
Pre-recorded videos and activities combine psycho-education, memory strategy training, and social support to educate about normal memory change in aging, normalize the experience of participants going through it, and equip them to handle age-related memory change.
Commercial brain training software available for subscription to the general public and for research studies.
Baycrest Health Sciences
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Change in dysexecutive functioning
Dysexecutive Functioning Index (DEX) questionnaire measures self-reported deficits in executive functions, and is composed of one scale with scores ranging from 0-80, where higher scores indicate greater executive deficit.
Time frame: Pre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in cognitive failures
Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) measures self-reported failures in perception, memory, and motor function. It contains a single scale with scores ranging from 0-100, where higher scores indicate greater degree of impairment.
Time frame: Pre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in memory knowledge score
Memory Knowledge Quiz quantifies memory, lifestyle, and strategy knowledge. It is scored from 0-25, with higher scores indicating more knowledge about knowledge of lifestyle factors affecting memory and strategies to remember.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in memory strategy toolbox use
Memory Strategy Toolbox quantifies application of strategies in memory-demanding everyday situations. It is scored from 0 - 6, with higher scores indicating increased ability to apply memory strategy toolbox.
Time frame: Pre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in Multifactorial Metamemory Questionnaire (MMQ)
Quantifies subjective memory abilities, satisfaction, and strategy use. The MMQ contains 3 sub scales, but we are using total score as our outcome variable. MMQ total scores range from 0 - 228, with higher scores indicting high self-reported memory performance, satisfaction with it, and use of memory strategies.
Time frame: Pre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in Patient-Specific Functional Scale
Quantifies the impact of memory changes on daily activities and self-image. Is scored from 0 -10, with higher scores indicating greater ability to perform function, and taken as an average across number of activities scored.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in Impact of Memory Change on Daily Activities
Memory Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) quantifies the impact of memory changes on daily activities and self-image. The MIQ has three sub scales: Lifestyle Restriction, Positive Coping and Negative Emotion, and total score will be used as the outcome variable. Scores range from 0 - 204, with higher scores indicating greater impact of memory change on daily activities and self image.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in intentions to seek medical attention
Quantifies change in intentions to seek medical attention pertaining to memory concerns.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in Cambridge Brain Sciences online cognitive assessment
Battery of tasks that assess aspects of memory and reasoning.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
Change in associative memory
Face-name task tests associative memory and sensitivity (d') will be measured as the outcome score.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.
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