Today the therapy options for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) are limited. One recommended intervention is cognitive stimulation. We try to develop serious games as a further treatment option, also usable in pre-dementia as well as early stages of dementia and for a long period of time. The main objective of this study is to test, if the computerized-cognitive training (CCT) is able to improve the performance in a score quantifying an "AD-specific" component score. Additionally, the neurobiological effects of the training are investigated.
The study intervention consists of a computer-based cognitive training, targeting the cognitive domains mostly affected by AD. This training will be performed for three months (each day for 20 minutes). After three months the intervention group will continue the training at home for six months and meet monthly for group sessions (i.e. booster sessions) on site. Primary endpoint will be the change in an "AD-specific" component score, quantified by episodic memory, semantic memory and visuospatial abilities. Secondary endpoints are changes in task related brain networks and changes in resting state networks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
162
The study intervention consists of a tablet-based cognitive training, targeting the cognitive domains mostly affected by Alzheimer Disease.
The active control group watches documentaries for three months before starting with the CCT.
University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Bern, Switzerland
Memory Clinic Zentralschweiz
Lucerne, Switzerland
Change in AD specific component score
The outcome is quantified by an AD component score including measures of EM (auditory verbal learning), SM (verbal fluency, naming task) and spatial abilities (Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test). These scores will be assessed four times, before the training as well as after three, six and nine months by tablet-based cognitive tests. A short follow-up assessment will be performed after a total of 12 months which does not include primary outcome measure.
Time frame: The primary endpoint will be assessed four times, with breaks of three months in between. Primary outcome will be assessed up to 9 months.
MRI functional and structural
Secondary endpoints are changes in task related brain networks (i.e. spatial ability and episodic memory) and changes in resting state networks.
Time frame: Secondary endpoints will be assessed two to four times, depending on the study arm, as MRI assessments are not always performed after six and nine months.
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