A Computer-based Memory Strategy Training Program for Older Adults

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Healthy Older Adults; Memory Complaints; Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

• Registration Number: NCT07039708
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

A computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program based on daily tasks utilising the semantic encoding strategies called Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life) has been developed for Chinese people. The aim of the E-MinD Life is to delay functional deterioration associated with possible cognitive changes in healthy older adults, older adults with memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. This project will pilot-test the E-MinD Life in Chinese healthy older adults, older adults with memory complaints, MCI and mild dementia.

Detailed Description

The objectives of the study are to investigate the feasibility and pilot-test the benefits of the computer-based E-MinD Life (Semantic) program to promote everyday performance in healthy older adults, older adults with memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia in Hong Kong using a randomised control trial.

Three groups of participants will be recruited: (1) 15 healthy older adults, (2) 15 older adults aged over 65 years with memory complaints, or older adults aged over 65 years, meeting the diagnostic criteria for MCI with a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 0 or having mild dementia with a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 1. All participants will have no depression and other clinical conditions that may affect their cognition. Their scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment will be recorded. Their carers or family members are invited to participate.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-02-10
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-26
• Primary Completion: 2025-08
• Study Completion: 2025-08-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

Group 1: healthy older adults aged 65 years or above Group 2: older adults aged 65 years or above with memory complaints Group 3: older adults aged 65 or above with mild cognitive impairment

Exclusion Criteria (for all groups 1, 2 and 3)

• have depression and other clinical conditions that may affect their cognition.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Accceptability	End of the intervention at 9 weeks	Acceptability is measured using a structured questionnaire divided into five sections: (1) the therapist-led group sessions, (2) the self-administered individual sessions, and (3) the computer program interface and iPad usability, (4) the overall program design and structure and (5) overall satisfaction. Participants are invited to give quantitative ratings on four dimensions under each section: (a) perceived effectiveness (e.g., whether the program improved cognitive strategy use), (b) relevance (e.g., how applicable the activities were to daily life), (c) convenience (e.g., ease) and (d) clarity. Responses are collected using a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 "Completely disagree" to 4 "Completely agree," with higher scores indicating greater acceptability.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility by measuring the attendance rate	Through the intervention for 9 weeks, attendance at each session	Feasibility by measuring the intervention attendance rate
Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB)	From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks	The CERAD-NAB provides a profile on cognitive function by assessing cognitive deficits and was validated in a Chinese version. This study will use all subtests, including Verbal Fluency (J1), Boston's Naming (J2), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE, J3), Word List Memory (J4), Constructional Praxis (J5), Word List Recall (J6), Word List Recognition (J7) and Recall of Constructional Praxis (J8). The total score ranges from 0 -115 with a higher score indicating better performance.
Digit Span Test	From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks	The Digit Span Test consists of Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB), measures immediate verbal recall, attentional capacity and working memory. The score is the number of digits in the longest successfully recalled sequence. A higher score indicates a better performance.
Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale	From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks	The self-reported Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale-Chinese version (IADLS) assesses one's ability to independently perform eight domains of instrumental daily activities such as meal preparation, laundry work, and shopping. The scale consists of nine items, each rated on a 3-point or 4-point scale, with a total score ranging from 0 to 18 or higher. A higher score indicates a better performance
Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD)	From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks	The Chinese version of the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) is a survey, completed by a proxy/carer, that evaluates the level of independence in daily activities for a person who has dementia or cognitive impairment. The DAD is scored based on a "yes/no" system, where "yes" indicates the person performed the activity without help, and "no" indicates they did not. The number of "yes" responses is totalled, and then converted to a percentage score out of 100. Higher percentage scores indicate better functional ability.
EuroQoL- 5 Dimensions - 5 Levels Hong Kong version (EQ-5D-5L_HK)	From enrollment to the end of intervention at 9 weeks	The EQ-5D-5L HK measures health-related quality of life in five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, using five rating levels (33). The 5-level health status is converted to a utility value, ranging from 0 (death) to 1 (full health). The EQ-5D-5L HK includes a Visual Analogue Scale where respondents rate their overall health on a scale of 0 to 100.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong