A cognitive training program based on principles of brain plasticity: Results from the improvement in memory with plasticity-based adaptive cognitive training (IMPACT) study

Glenn E. Smith, Patricia Housen, Kristine Yaffe, Ronald Ruff, Robert F. Kennison, Henry W. Mahncke, Elizabeth M. Zelinski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

460 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of a novel brain plasticity-based computerized cognitive training program in older adults and to evaluate the effect on untrained measures of memory and attention and participant-reported outcomes. DESIGN: Multisite randomized controlled double-blind trial with two treatment groups. SETTING: Communities in northern and southern California and Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (N=487) without a diagnosis of clinically significant cognitive impairment. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to receive a broadly-available brain plasticity-based computerized cognitive training program (intervention) or a novelty- and intensity-matched general cognitive stimulation program modeling treatment as usual (active control). Duration of training was 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks, for a total of 40 hours. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was a composite score calculated from six subtests of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status that use the auditory modality (RBANS Auditory Memory/Attention). Secondary measures were derived from performance on the experimental program, standardized neuropsychological assessments of memory and attention, and participant-reported outcomes. RESULTS: RBANS Auditory Memory/Attention improvement was significantly greater (P=.02) in the experimental group (3.9 points, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.7-5.1) than in the control group (1.8 points, 95% CI=0.6-3.0). Multiple secondary measures of memory and attention showed significantly greater improvements in the experimental group (word list total score, word list delayed recall, digits backwards, letter-number sequencing; P<.05), as did the participant-reported outcome measure (P=.001). No advantage for the experimental group was seen in narrative memory. CONCLUSION: The experimental program improved generalized measures of memory and attention more than an active control program.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)594-603
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume57
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Brain plasticity
  • Clinical trial
  • Cognitive decline
  • Computerized cognitive training
  • Participant-reported outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A cognitive training program based on principles of brain plasticity: Results from the improvement in memory with plasticity-based adaptive cognitive training (IMPACT) study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this