My Mind Project: the effects of cognitive training for elderly—the study protocol of a prospective randomized intervention study

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 353 - 360
• Main Authors: Giuli, C., Fattoretti, P., Gagliardi, C., Mocchegiani, E., Venarucci, D., Balietti, M., Casoli, T., Costarelli, L., Giacconi, R., Malavolta, M., Papa, R., Lattanzio, F., Postacchini, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Aging; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer Disease - therapy; Biomarkers; Blood platelets; Brain research; Clinical Protocols; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Dementia; Disease; Enzymes; Geriatrics; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Health care; Humans; Immune system; Italy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Memory; Neurosciences; Older people; Original; Original Article; Oxidative stress; Pathogenesis; Prospective Studies; Proteins; Research centers; Studies; Trace elements; Elderly people; Biomarkers; Cognitive training; Alzheimer’s disease; Mild cognitive impairment
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-016-0570-1

Background Cognitive decline and dementia represent a key problem for public health as they heavily impair social functioning and independent living. The development of new strategies to support recommendations for patients and their caregivers may represent an outstanding step forward. Aims To describe the study protocol and methods of “My Mind Project: the effect of cognitive training for elderly” (Grant No. 154/GR-2009-1584108), which investigates, by the use of a multidisciplinary approach, the effects of a comprehensive cognitive training programme on performances in aged subjects with mild–moderate Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive functioning. Methods The study is a prospective randomized intervention for the assessment of cognitive training effects in three groups of elderly subjects with different cognitive status. A total of 321 elderly people were enrolled in Marche Region, Italy. Each subject was randomly assigned to an experimental group or to a control group. Cognitive performances and biochemical blood markers have also been analysed before cognitive training (baseline), immediately after termination (follow-up 1), after 6 months (follow-up 2) and after 2 years (follow-up 3). Discussion The results will be useful to identify some efficient programmes for the enhancement of cognitive performance in elderly with and without cognitive decline. Conclusion The application of a non-pharmacological approach in the treatment of elderly with cognitive disorders could have a profound impact on National Health Service.