The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Improving the Selective Attention in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on improving selective attention in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test. The population in this study was all individuals referred to a neurology clinic in Tehran in 2012. The group was comprised of 40 patients with mild cognitive impairment who were evaluated with early detection and assessment by a medical psychologist (MMSE score lower than 25 and Wechsler memory test) and were selected by available sampling. They were also older than 55 years and had a minimum education at degree level, together with a lack of neurological and psychiatric comorbidities and impaired sensory and motor retardation, according to their nursing history and medical records. They were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (20 patients in each group). The experimental group was given 12 sessions (two hours each section) of cognitive rehabilitation with Neurocognitive Joyful Attentive Training Intervention (NEJATI). The control group, as expected with this group, did not receive any trial period. The selective attention of both groups was evaluated, before and after receiving intervention, by a Strop computer programme. Data were analysed using the covariance statistical test, MANCOVA. Results: The results show an increase in selective attention scores in the experimental group compared with the control group. Therefore, we can conclude that cognitive rehabilitation leads to improvement in the performance of selective attention (F = 4/97; sig < 0/05). Conclusion: Cognitive rehabilitation can impact on improving selective focus in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Share and Cite:

A. Shomali Oskoei, V. Nejati and B. Ajilchi, "The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Improving the Selective Attention in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment," Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, Vol. 3 No. 6, 2013, pp. 474-478. doi: 10.4236/jbbs.2013.36049.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, (MFMER) “Mild Cognitive Impairment,” 2011.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mild-cognitive-impairment/DS00553
[2] H. S. Anderson and R. O. Kuljis, “Mild Cognitive Impairment,” 2010.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1136393-overview
[3] R. J. Perry and J. R. Hodges, “Attention and Executive Deficits in Alzheimer’s Disease. A Critical Review,” Brain, Vol. 122, No. 3, 1999, pp. 383-404.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/brain/122.3.383
[4] H. P. Marvin, “Remediation for Brain Injury and Neurological Illness,” Springer Science, New York, 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1975-4
[5] L. Burke, “Developmental Psychology,” Vol. II, Arasbaran, Tehran, 2007.
[6] M. M. Sohlberg and C. A. Mateer, “Cognitive Rehabilitation: An Integrative Neuropsychological Approach,” The Guilford Press, New York, 2001.
[7] D. Lee and C. A. Riccio, “Understanding and Implementing Cognitive Neuropsychological Retraining
In: R. C. D’Amato, E. Fletcher-Janzen and C. R. Reynolds (Eds.), Handbook of School Neuropsychology, Wiley, Hoboken, 2005, pp. 701-720.
[8] T. A. Ala, L. G. Berck and A. M. Popovich, “Using the Telephone to Call for Help and Caregiver Awareness in Alzheimer Disease,” Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorder, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2005, pp. 79-84.
[9] S. Salloway, S. Correia and S. Richardson, “Key Lessons Learned from Short-Term Treatment Trials of Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Amnestic MCI,” International Psychogeriatry, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2008, pp. 40-46.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.wad.0000165509.45123.57
[10] E. C. Miotto, V. T. Serrao, G. B. Guerra, M. C. S. Lucia and M. Scaff, “Cognitive Rehabilitation of Neuropsychological Deficits and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Review of the Literature,” Dementia & Neuropsychologia, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2008, pp. 139-145.
[11] M. Amini, B. Dowlatshahi, A. Dadkhah and M. Lotfi, “Cognitive Rehabilitation of Cognitive Deficits in Elderly Patients with Alzheimer’s Dementia,” Iranian Journal of Aging, Vol. 5, No. 15, 2010, pp. 78-86.
[12] E. Talassi, M. Guerrreschi, M. Feriani, V. Fedi, A. Bianchetti and M. Trabucchi, “Effectiveness of a Cognitive Rehabilitation Program in Mild Dementia (MD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Case Control Study,” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Vol. 1, 2007, pp. 391-399.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2007.01.055
[13] A. Kurz, C. Pohl, M. Ramsenthaler and C. Sorg, “Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment,” International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 24, No. 2, 2009, pp. 163-168.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.2086
[14] M. Schmitter-Edgecombe, “A Multi-Dyad Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention,” 2010.
http://www.alz.org/research/alzheimers_grants/for_researchers
[15] Z. Stavros, K. Fotni and T. Magda, “Computer Based Cognitive Training for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),” 3rd International Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments, New York, 2010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/1839294.1839319
[16] M. Huckans, L. Hutson, E. Twamley, A. Jak, J. Kaye and D. Storzbach, “Efficacy of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapies for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Older Adults: Working toward a Theoretical Model and Evidence-Based Interventions,” Neuropsychology Review, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2013, pp. 63-80.
[17] M. Foroughan, S. Jafari,, C. Shirin Baian, Z. Ghae Maqam Farahani and M. Rahgozar, “A Brief Examination of Standardized Cognitive Status of Elderly in Tehran,” Journal of New Cognitive Science, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2008, pp. 29-37.
[18] Gh. Sarrami, “Standardization of Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-O) on the Population of Tehran,” Master Thesis, Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran, Tehran, 1993.
[19] V. P. Bozikas, M. H. Kosmidis, G. Kiosseoglou and A. Karavatos, “Neuropsychological Profile of Cognitively Impaired Patients with Schizophrenia,” Comperhensive Psychiatry, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2006, pp. 136-143.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.05.002
[20] A. Karimi Ali Abad, S. M. Tamjid Kafi and H. Farahani “The Study of Executive Functions at Patients with Bipolar Disorders,” Advances in Cognitive Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2010, pp. 29-39.
[21] V. Nejati, H. R. Pouretemad and H. Bahrami, “Attention Training in Rehabilitation of Children with Developmental Stuttering,” Neuro Rehabilitation, Vol. 32, 2013, pp. 297-303.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/NRE-130847
[22] S. Belleville, H. Chetrkow and S. Gauthier, “Working Memory and Control of Attention in Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment,” Neuropsychology, Vol. 21, 2007, pp. 456–469.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0894-4105.21.4.458
[23] V. K. Günther, P. Schafer, B. J. Holzner and G. W. Kemmler, “Long-Term Improvements in Cognitive Performance through Computer-Assisted Cognitive Training: A Pilot Study in a Residential Home for Older People,” Aging and Mental Health, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2003, pp. 200-206.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1360786031000101175
[24] G. Cipriani, A. Bianchetti and M. Trabucchi, “Outcomes of a Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Program on Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Compared with Those on Patients Affected by Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Case Control Study,” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatry, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2006, pp. 327-335.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2005.12.003
[25] L. Rozzini, D. Costardi, B. Vicini Chilovi, S. Franzoni, M. Trabucchi and A. Padovani, “Efficacy of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Treated with Cholinesterase Inhibitors,” International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 22, No. 4, 2007, pp. 356-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.1681
[26] J. O. Brooks, L. Friedman, A. M. Pearman, C. Gray and J. A. Yesavage, “Mnemonic Training in Older Adults: Effects of Age, Length of Training, and Type of Cognitive Pre Training,” International Psychogeriatrics, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1999, pp. 75-84.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1041610299005608
[27] L. Clare, R. T. Woods, E. D. Moniz, M. Cook Orrell and A. Spector, “Cognitive Rehabilitation and Cognitive Training for Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia (Cochrane Review),” No. 2, The Cochrane Library, Wiley, 2005.
[28] S. Rapp, G. Brenes and A. P. Marsh, “Memory Enhancement Training for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Preliminary Study,” Aging and Mental Health, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2002, pp. 5-11.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607860120101077

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.