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Maintaining Independence in Everyday Life Among Seniors With Subjective Cognitive Complaints

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Aging
Interventions
Behavioral: Cognitive training
Behavioral: Psychosocial education
Registration Number
NCT02655497
Lead Sponsor
Baycrest
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of cognitive strategies in improving participation in daily activities within older adults who report subjective cognitive decline.

Detailed Description

The planned project explores the effects of several interventions designed to promote independence in everyday life, with older adults who identify cognitive complaints. Evidence suggests that 25-50% of community dwelling older adults report cognitive difficulties, such as reduced memory or concentration, in the absence of any diagnosed condition. Cognitive skills are crucial to living independently. The investigators plan to examine two approaches in a randomized controlled trial. Based on our successful pilot study, the investigators hypothesize that this training which combines education on healthy lifestyles and problem solving training to address everyday life difficulties, will be effective in maximizing and maintaining independence of older adults.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria
  • Community-dwelling older adults aged 60+
  • Fluent in written and spoken English
  • Have subjective cognitive complaints (SCC)
  • Performance within normal limits on a neuropsychological assessment battery
  • Participants must also be able to self-identify specific areas of difficulty in their everyday life that they would like to improve
Exclusion Criteria
  • Significant neurological or psychiatric history (e.g., multiple sclerosis, psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization)
  • Concurrent depression
  • Anaesthesia in previous 6 months; and substance abuse

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cognitive TrainingCognitive trainingCognitive training intervention. The intervention includes seven 2-hour group sessions interspersed with four individual 45-minute sessions for a total of 17 hours of intervention over an 8-week period. The experimental group will receive real-world strategy training, a cognitive strategy based approach that trains people to improve their level of independence on meaningful activities of daily life with which they are having difficulty.
Psychosocial educationPsychosocial educationThe intervention includes seven 2-hour group sessions interspersed with four individual 45-minute sessions for a total of 17 hours of intervention over an 8-week period. The control group will receive brain-health education.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) scores8 weeks after pretest and 3 months after intervention finished

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is the primary outcome measure. All participants will identify five everyday life activities that they need to or want to do using the COPM. The primary outcome will be (a) the number of goals improved by two points.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Baycrest Health Sciences

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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