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Evaluation of the Online Memory & Aging Program and Online Goal Management Training

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Aging
Cognitive Decline
Interventions
Behavioral: Memory & Aging Program
Behavioral: Goal Management Training
Behavioral: Cambridge Brain Sciences
Registration Number
NCT03602768
Lead Sponsor
Baycrest
Brief Summary

The current study is designed to test the effectiveness of online programs for memory and executive functions in healthy aging. The investigators are testing online adaptations of two cognitive interventions that have been extensively studied, validated, and implemented in clinical settings: The Memory \& Aging Program (MAP) targets normal memory change in healthy aging, and Goal Management Training (GMT) targets executive functioning deficits in a variety of cognitive and neurological conditions including healthy aging. Both programs combine psycho-education, targeted skills training and clinical support to empower participants with knowledge and strategies to harness their cognitive faculties. These programs are being tested against a waitlist control as well as against a commercial/research brain training platform (Cambridge Brain Sciences) in a design comparing performance on memory and executive functioning measures before and after the interventions/controls. The main hypothesis is that MAP will lead to memory-specific improvements above control conditions, whereas GMT will lead to greater improvements in measures of executive functions relative to controls.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
800
Inclusion Criteria
  • Available to participate in all testing and intervention sessions and access to a computer
  • Computer familiarity
  • Cognitive complaint/concern/frustration
Exclusion Criteria
  • Health conditions with major effects on cognition, including a current or previous history of stroke, brain surgery, or diagnosed neurological disorder;
  • Dependence in instrumental activities of daily living
  • Cognitive impairment, defined as performance below cutoff for cognitive impairment on a standardized cognitive screening measure, the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (Welsh et al., 1993)
  • Affective impairment, defined as performance below cutoff for depression on standardized depression screen, the PHQ 2/9 (Yesavage et al., 1983)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Memory & Aging ProgramMemory & Aging ProgramThe online version of MAP with a therapist moderator on the course discussion pages. MAP takes 5-9 weeks (self-paced) to complete 8 modules involving instructional video with interactive content and practice of memory strategies through various exercises.
Goal Management TrainingGoal Management TrainingThe online version of GMT with a therapist on the back-end monitoring progress and giving feedback throughout the program. Online GMT takes 5-9 weeks (self-paced) to complete 9 modules involving instructional video with interactive content, practice of cognitive strategies through games, and between-module exercises.
Cambridge Brain Sciences TrainingCambridge Brain SciencesThis is a commercial and research brain training platform, composed of 7 games that are online adaptations of the standard measures of cognition including working memory and spacial planning.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in memory strategy toolbox usePre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Memory Strategy Toolbox quantifies application of strategies in memory-demanding everyday situations. It is scored from 0 - 6, with higher scores indicating increased ability to apply memory strategy toolbox.

Change in dysexecutive functioningPre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Dysexecutive Functioning Index (DEX) questionnaire measures self-reported deficits in executive functions, and is composed of one scale with scores ranging from 0-80, where higher scores indicate greater executive deficit.

Change in cognitive failuresPre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) measures self-reported failures in perception, memory, and motor function. It contains a single scale with scores ranging from 0-100, where higher scores indicate greater degree of impairment.

Change in memory knowledge scorePre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Memory Knowledge Quiz quantifies memory, lifestyle, and strategy knowledge. It is scored from 0-25, with higher scores indicating more knowledge about knowledge of lifestyle factors affecting memory and strategies to remember.

Change in Multifactorial Metamemory Questionnaire (MMQ)Pre-intervention; immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Quantifies subjective memory abilities, satisfaction, and strategy use. The MMQ contains 3 sub scales, but we are using total score as our outcome variable. MMQ total scores range from 0 - 228, with higher scores indicting high self-reported memory performance, satisfaction with it, and use of memory strategies.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in intentions to seek medical attentionPre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Quantifies change in intentions to seek medical attention pertaining to memory concerns.

Change in Impact of Memory Change on Daily ActivitiesPre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Memory Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) quantifies the impact of memory changes on daily activities and self-image. The MIQ has three sub scales: Lifestyle Restriction, Positive Coping and Negative Emotion, and total score will be used as the outcome variable. Scores range from 0 - 204, with higher scores indicating greater impact of memory change on daily activities and self image.

Change in Cambridge Brain Sciences online cognitive assessmentPre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Battery of tasks that assess aspects of memory and reasoning.

Change in Patient-Specific Functional ScalePre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Quantifies the impact of memory changes on daily activities and self-image. Is scored from 0 -10, with higher scores indicating greater ability to perform function, and taken as an average across number of activities scored.

Change in associative memoryPre-intervention (post-randomization); immediate post-intervention; 6 weeks following intervention completion.

Face-name task tests associative memory and sensitivity (d') will be measured as the outcome score.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Baycrest Health Sciences

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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