Can Chinese Calligraphy Writing Enhance Cognitive Performance and Emotional Calmness in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment? A RCT Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 99
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Digit span backward test (DSB) from baseline, after end of training, and 6-month follow-up.
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study is aimed to investigate the efficacy of an 12-week Chinese calligraphy training program for enhancing cognitive and emotional functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants are tested with several cognitive tests and electroencephalography (EEG), psycho-physical parameters and brain activities are recorded. Results are compared at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month post-intervention to provide evidence of benefits of Chinese calligraphy practice.
Detailed Description
Participants are older adults with mild cognitive impairment, who will be recruited from several community elderly centers in Hong Kong according to selective criteria. The participants are randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group is invited to participate in 16 sessions of structured Chinese calligraphy program over 12 weeks. Each session lasts for 1.5 hours. The control group is invited to participate in an iPad learning program with navigating the Internet. The iPad program is also consisted of 16 sessions of 1.5 hours each over 8 weeks. Cognitive tests and physiological measures are conducted immediately before and after intervention and at 6-month post-intervention follow-up. Statistical analysis are performed to investigate the significant differences and interactions among the three time points. The association of cognitive performance and emotional calmness is also investigated.
Selected participants are invited to take part in a EEG session while doing some computer tasks related to Chinese calligraphy. EEG results of are used to explore neural activities associated with visuospatial working memory and to provide evidence for neural changes at functional level as a result of Chinese calligraphy training and practice.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 60 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Meeting Petersen's criteria for mild cognitive impairment
- •Being able to read simple Chinese characters
- •Community-dwelling
- •Clinical Dementia Rating score of 0.5
- •No substantial prior experience of calligraphy writing
- •Willing to write using a brush and willing to participate
Exclusion Criteria
- •Presence of musculoskeletal problems preventing participants from writing
- •Known chronic cardiovascular (e.g. systolic BP > 140mmHg) or pulmonary conditions requiring long-term medication
- •Presence of severe mental disorder such as psychosis or depression.
Arms & Interventions
Calligraphy Training
This group receives a Chinese calligraphy training program of 16 sessions over 8 weeks in a class of 8-12 participants. Each session is 1.5 hours.
Intervention: Calligraphy Training (Behavioral)
iPad Training
This group receives an iPad training program of 16 sessions over 8 weeks in a class of 8-12 participants. Each session is 1.5 hours.
Intervention: iPad Training (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Digit span backward test (DSB) from baseline, after end of training, and 6-month follow-up.
Time Frame: Baseline, within 2 weeks after end of training, and 6-month follow-up.
DSB evaluates working memory, which requires recalling digits in reverse order. The DSB test is structured with increased levels of difficulty.
Secondary Outcomes
- Color Trails Test (CTT)(Baseline, within 2 weeks after end of training, and 6-month follow-up.)
- Blood pressure.(At the week 1, 5, 9, 12 during the intervention period, and at 6-month post-intervention.)
- Heart rate and heart rate variability.(At the week 1, 5, 9, 12 during the intervention period, and at 6-month post-intervention.)
- Symbol-digit Modalities Test (SDMT)(Baseline, within 2 weeks after end of training, and 6-month follow-up.)
- Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form (GDS-SF)(Baseline, within 2 weeks after end of training, and 6-month post-intervention.)
- Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB)(Baseline, within 2 weeks after end of training, and 6-month post-intervention.)
Investigators
Prof. Chetwyn Chan
Associate Vice President (Learning and Teaching) and Chair Professor
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University