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P3‐237: Effect of cognitive treatment for the elderly with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease in the cognitive function and the psychological well being
Author(s) -
Wu WeiRen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2009.04.1010
Subject(s) - cognition , dementia , psychology , geriatric depression scale , treatment and control groups , reading (process) , clinical psychology , medicine , physical therapy , disease , psychiatry , depressive symptoms , political science , law
implemented on a large scale. A growing body of empirical evidence points to the potential beneficial effects of cardiovascular fitness, social integration, participation in cognitively stimulating activities, and healthy diet in the maintenance of cognitive function with aging. We have recently developed and are pilot testing a multi-component, cognitive-behavioral, phone and mail based intervention, ‘‘Passport,’’ to promote long-term lifestyle changes in older adults including increasing amounts of physical activity, brain exercise, social integration, and brain-healthy eating. Methods: Cognitively intact (TICS 31), sedentary (< 90 min physical activity per week) adults aged 60-80 years were recruited from the general membership listing of our large managed care organization. Participants were assessed at baseline for cognitive function, biomarkers, lifestyle factors, and physical traits. In the first phase of this pilot, 21 participants were recruited and assigned to the Passport Guided Intervention receiving a course book, pedometer, tool kit (e.g., recipe book, puzzle books) and a series of 7 bi-weekly phone coaching calls. In the second phase of this pilot, 42 participants were recruited and randomized either to the guided intervention (n1⁄422) or to a self-directed (n1⁄420) group (receiving only the course book and pedometer). Results: Baseline data for the 63 subjects (40% male) are reported here: age mean1⁄469.6 (range 61-80), MMSE 28.7 (25-30), BMI 29.8(19.8-48.2), systolic SP 122.8 (91-183), and total serum cholesterol 189.3 (108-268). Baseline cognitive assessment data include delayed word recall 5.1 (1-9), symbol digit 45.9 (27-76), delayed story recall 12.21 (3-22), digit span forward 10.1 (7-15), digit span backward 6.8 (3-13), and digit ordering 3.6 (0-8). Conclusions: A follow-up visit with cognitive assessment and blood analysis will be conducted at 6 months. By providing important information on intervention design, implementation, subject recruitment, and effect sizes, this pilot will guide development of a novel approach to the primary prevention of cognitive decline, a common and devastating condition threatening the well being and quality of life of elder Americans.