Open AccessFeasibility of computerized working memory training in individuals with Huntington disease
Author(s) -
Mahsa Sadeghi,
Emily Barlow-Krelina,
Clare Gibbons,
Komal T. Shaikh,
Wai Lun Alan Fung,
Wendy S. Meschino,
Christine Till
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0176429
Subject(s) - working memory , memory span , huntington's disease , working memory training , neuropsychology , cognitive training , medicine , audiology , cognition , population , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , disease , psychiatry , environmental health
Objectives Huntington disease (HD) is associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, with prominent difficulties in working memory (WM). WM deficits are notably compromised in early-onset and prodromal HD patients. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a computerized WM training program (Cogmed QM), novel to the HD population. Methods Nine patients, aged 26–62, with early stage HD underwent a 25-session (5 days/week for 5 weeks) WM training program (Cogmed QM). Training exercises involved the manipulation and storage of verbal and visuospatial information, with difficulty adapted as a function of individual performance. Neuropsychological testing was conducted before and after training, and performance on criterion WM measures (Digit Span and Spatial Span), near-transfer WM measures (Symbol Span and Auditory WM), and control measures were evaluated. Post-training interviews about patient experience were thematically analyzed using NVivo software. Results Seven of nine patients demonstrated adherence to the training and completed all sessions within the recommended timeframe of 5 weeks. All adherent patients showed improvement on the Cogmed tasks as defined by the Improvement Index ( M = 22.17, SD = 8.84, range = 13–36). All adherent patients reported that they found training helpful ( n = 7) , and almost all felt that their memory improved ( n = 6) . Participants also expressed that the training was difficult, sometimes frustrating, and time consuming. Conclusions This pilot study provides support for feasibility of computerized WM training in early-stage patients with HD. Results suggest that HD patients perceive benefits of intensive WM training, though a full-scale and controlled intervention project is needed to understand the size of the effect and reliability of changes over time. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Registry number NCT02926820