Efficacy and Concurrent Validity of Computerized Brain Training Based on Everyday Living (BTEL) Based on Instrumental Activities of Living for Cognitively Healthy Old Individuals: A Preliminary Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Asada, Takashi^{a; b; *} | Tanaka, Mieko^c | Araki, Wataru^a | Jon Lebowitz, Adam^d | Kakuma, Tatsuyuki^e

Affiliations: [a] Memory Clinic Ochanomizu, Tokyo, Japan | [b] Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan | [c] Brain Functions Laboratory, Inc., Yokohama, Japan | [d] Department of General Education, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan | [e] Biostatistics Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Takashi Asada, MD, PhD, Memory Clinic Ochanomizu, 1-5-34, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0034, Japan. Tel.: +81 36 801 8718; Fax: +81 36 801 8868; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Background:Interventions to prevent or attenuate cognitive decline and dementia in older adults are becoming increasingly important. Recently, cognitive training exercise can be via computer or mobile technology for independent or home use. Recent meta-analysis has reported that Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) is effective at enhancing cognitive function in healthy older and Alzheimer’s disease adults, although little is known about individual characteristics of each computerized program. Objective:We developed a new CCT named Brain Training Based on Everyday Living (BTEL) to enhance cognitive capacity for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). We aim to evaluate the efficacy of the BTEL among cognitively healthy old individuals and to explore its concurrent validity and construct concept. Methods:We conducted a double-blind study where 106 individuals aged 65 years and older (intervened = 53, control = 53) worked on the active and placebo tasks three times a week over three months (clinical trial: UMIN000048730). The main results were examined using ANCOVA and calculating correlation coefficients. Results:We found no effect on total score of the three tests; however, there was significant effect for the BTEL on: recognition in MMSE, and immediate recall in HDSR. The tasks are associated with prefrontal cortex. In addition, correlations indicated that each BTEL domain had some validity as a cognitive assessment tool. Different from previous CCT, we determined the neuropsychological characteristics of specific cognitive tasks of the BTEL to a certain degree. Conclusions:We found modest efficacy of the BTEL in cognitively healthy old individuals and confirmed its concurrent validity and the conceptual construct.

Keywords: Activities of daily living, Alzheimer’s disease, brain training, mild cognitive impairment, neuropsychology

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-231165

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 99, no. 2, pp. 549-558, 2024