The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a computerized eye-tracking training program can improve mental health and thinking skills in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are whether eye-tracking training can lower depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults, and whether it can improve their ability to control impulses and pay attention. Researchers will compare older adults who receive eye-tracking training to older adults on a waitlist to see if eye-tracking training leads to greater improvements in mood and thinking skills. Researchers will randomly assign participants into the experimental group or the waitlist control group. Participants in the experimental group will take part in eye-tracking training three times a week for 18 sessions, over about 1.5 months. Before and after training, participants will answer questions about their mood and take tests of memory, attention, and impulse control. Older adults on the waitlist will complete the same tests but will not receive training until after the study period; they will be offered the same training once their waiting period ends.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
78
The intervention is a copyrighted computerized training program using a non-contact eye tracker. Participants are required to fixate on or trace visual targets across six modules of increasing difficulty to improve attention and inhibitory control.
Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-being
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
International Women's League Neighbourhood Elderly Centre
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Inhibitory control
Inhibitory Control Index (ICI) in the Eriksen Flanker Test
Time frame: Baseline and after completion of 18 training sessions (approximately 9 weeks)
Sustained attention
Digit Cancellation Index (DCI) in the Digit Cancellation Test
Time frame: Baseline and after completion of 18 training sessions (approximately 9 weeks)
Depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms are assessed using the 15-item Chinese version of Geriatric Depressive Scale (CGDS-15). It is a 15-item self-report scale in which participants answer "Yes" or "No" to whether they experienced each of 15 common depressive symptoms in the past week. Scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms. A score of 8 or higher indicates clinically significant depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and after completion of 18 training sessions (approximately 9 weeks)
Anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms are assessed using the 10-item Chinese version of Geriatric Anxiety Scale (CGAS-10). It is a 10-item self-report measure of anxiety symptoms in older adults. Higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and after completion of 18 training sessions (approximately 9 weeks)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.