First
brain
training exercise positively linked to dementia prevention identified
Indiana University
 |
| The current version of the “speed training” software, now called Double Decision and produced by the company Posit Science. Credit: Posit Science |
The cognitive
training, called speed of processing, showed benefits up to 10 years after
study participants underwent the mental exercise program, said Frederick W.
Unverzagt, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Indiana University School of
Medicine.
The proportion of
participants who underwent the training and later developed dementia was
significantly smaller than among those who received no cognitive training, the
researchers said.
There were measurable
benefits even though the amount of training was small and spread out over time:
10 one-hour sessions over six weeks initially and up to eight booster sessions
after that.
"We would consider this a relatively small dose of training, a low intensity intervention. The persistence -- the durability of the effect was impressive," said Dr. Unverzagt, who explains more in a Q&A blog post.
Results from the
Advanced Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly -- ACTIVE -- study of 2,802 older
adults were recently reported in Alzheimer & Dementia Translational
Research and Clinical Interventions, a peer-reviewed journal of the
Alzheimer's Association.
The researchers, from
IU, the University of South Florida, Pennsylvania State University and Moderna
Therapeutics, examined healthy adults aged 65 years and older from multiple
sites and who were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups:
- Participants who received instructions and practice in strategies to improve memory of life events and activities.
- Participants who received instruction and practice in strategies to help with problem solving and related issues.
- Participants who received computer-based speed of processing exercises -- exercises designed to increase the amount and complexity of information they could process quickly.
- A control group whose members did not participate in any cognitive training program.
Initial training
consisted of 10 sessions lasting about an hour, over a period of five to six
weeks.
A subset of participants who completed least 80 percent of the first round of training sessions were eligible to receive booster training, which consisted of four 60 to 75-minute sessions 11 months and 35 months following the initial training. Participants were assessed immediately after training and at one, two, three, five and 10 years after training.
A subset of participants who completed least 80 percent of the first round of training sessions were eligible to receive booster training, which consisted of four 60 to 75-minute sessions 11 months and 35 months following the initial training. Participants were assessed immediately after training and at one, two, three, five and 10 years after training.
After attrition due to
death and other factors, 1,220 participants completed the 10-year follow-up
assessment.
During that time, 260 participants developed dementia. The risk of developing dementia was 29 percent lower for participants in speed of processing training than for those who were in the control group, a statistically significant difference.
Moreover, the benefits of the training were stronger for those who underwent booster training. While the memory and reasoning training also showed benefits for reducing dementia risk, the results were not statistically significant.
During that time, 260 participants developed dementia. The risk of developing dementia was 29 percent lower for participants in speed of processing training than for those who were in the control group, a statistically significant difference.
Moreover, the benefits of the training were stronger for those who underwent booster training. While the memory and reasoning training also showed benefits for reducing dementia risk, the results were not statistically significant.
Dr. Unverzagt noted
that the speed of processing training used computerized "adaptive
training" software with touch screens. Participants were asked to identify
objects in the center of the screen, while also identifying the location of
briefly appearing objects in the periphery.
The software would adjust the speed and difficulty of the exercises based on how well participants performed.
The software would adjust the speed and difficulty of the exercises based on how well participants performed.
In contrast the memory
and reasoning programs used more traditional instruction and practice
techniques as might occur in a classroom setting.
Earlier studies had
shown that ACTIVE cognitive training improved participants' cognitive abilities
and the ease of engaging in activities of daily living five and 10 years after
the initial training.
However, an examination of the role of ACTIVE cognitive training on dementia incidence was not significant after five years of follow-up.
However, an examination of the role of ACTIVE cognitive training on dementia incidence was not significant after five years of follow-up.