Toward Personalized Cognitive Training in Older Adults: A Pilot Investigation of the Effects of Baseline Performance and Age on Cognitive Training Outcomes.
Bruno, J. L., Shaw, J. S., & Hosseini, S. M. H. .
(2024)Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
DOI: 10.3233/jad-230619
Abstract
Background: Cognitive training holds potential as a non-pharmacological intervention to decrease cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but more research is needed to understand individual differences that may predict maximal training benefits.
Objective: We conducted a pilot study using a six-month training regimen in healthy aging adults with no cognitive decline. We investigated the effects of baseline performance and age on training and transfer improvements.
Methods: Out of 43 participants aged 65–84 years, 31 successfully completed cognitive training (BrainHQ) in one of three cognitive domains: processing speed (N = 13), inhibitory control (N = 9), or episodic memory (N = 9). We used standardized assessments to measure baseline performance and transfer effects.
Results: All 31 participants improved on the cognitive training regimen and age was positively associated with training improvement (p = 0.039). The processing speed group improved significantly across many near- and far-transfer tasks. In the inhibitory control group, individuals with lower baseline performance improved more on inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility tasks. In the episodic memory group, older individuals improved most on a memory task while younger individuals improved most on an executive function far-transfer task.
Conclusions: Individual differences are predictive of cognitive training gains, and the impact of individual differences on training improvements is specific to the domain of training. We provide initial insight regarding how non-pharmacological interventions can be optimized to combat the onset of cognitive decline in older adults. With future research this work can inform the design of effective cognitive interventions for delaying cognitive decline in preclinical AD.
Aims This pilot study aimed to understand how personalized six-month cognitive training affects older adults’ brain skills. The researchers wanted to see if factors like age and initial ability influence how much people improve. They focused on training in three areas: processing speed, inhibition (self-control), and episodic memory (remembering events).
Findings All participants improved their cognitive skills after about six months of training. Interestingly, older adults showed more benefits overall, particularly in processing speed and general thinking abilities. Those with lower starting abilities in inhibition, for example, improved more in control and flexibility tasks. Additionally, improvements outside the training area—called transfer effects—were seen, meaning skills improved in real-life-like tasks.
Strengths A key strength was the personalised approach, tailoring training to individual abilities and tracking improvements over a long period. The study also assessed multiple cognitive domains, providing a broad view of how training helps different skills. The focus on natural, home-based training makes the findings relevant for real-world aging populations.
Limitations The small number of participants and lack of a control group limit the ability to fully trust that improvements are due solely to training. Also, since participants knew they were in a training study, placebo effects might have played a role. More research with larger, diverse groups is needed to confirm these results.
Aims This pilot study aimed to understand how personalized six-month cognitive training affects older adults’ brain skills. The researchers wanted to see if factors like age and initial ability influence how much people improve. They focused on training in three areas: processing speed, inhibition (self-control), and episodic memory (remembering events).
Findings All participants improved their cognitive skills after about six months of training. Interestingly, older adults showed more benefits overall, particularly in processing speed and general thinking abilities. Those with lower starting abilities in inhibition, for example, improved more in control and flexibility tasks. Additionally, improvements outside the training area—called transfer effects—were seen, meaning skills improved in real-life-like tasks.
Strengths A key strength was the personalised approach, tailoring training to individual abilities and tracking improvements over a long period. The study also assessed multiple cognitive domains, providing a broad view of how training helps different skills. The focus on natural, home-based training makes the findings relevant for real-world aging populations.
Limitations The small number of participants and lack of a control group limit the ability to fully trust that improvements are due solely to training. Also, since participants knew they were in a training study, placebo effects might have played a role. More research with larger, diverse groups is needed to confirm these results.