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Journal of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Analysis of an Everyday Cognitive Training Program on the cognitive functioning of older adults: a randomised controlled trial

Celia Sánchez Gómez https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1196-816X A B * , Eduardo J. Fernández Rodríguez https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2175-8545 B C D and Alberto García Martín https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5427-9743 E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

B Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain. Email: edujfr@usal.es

C Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

D Medical Oncology Service, University Hospital Complex of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

E Department of Labor Law and Social Work, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. Email: albergm@usal.es

* Correspondence to: celiasng@usal.es

Handling Editor: Jenny Fleming

Brain Impairment 25, IB23078 https://doi.org/10.1071/IB23078
Submitted: 28 February 2023  Accepted: 10 March 2023  Published: 17 January 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment.

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of a probable cognitive deficit in older adults is associated with advanced age and degree of functional impairment. This fact has encouraged the search for non-pharmacological preventive interventions. We set out to evaluate the benefits of the use of specific training programs in everyday cognition on the cognitive functioning of older adults.

Methods

For this purpose, we conducted a randomised controlled trial of two groups. In the experimental group we carried out an ‘Everyday Cognition Training Program’, and in the control group we carried out a ‘Traditional Cognitive Training Program’. The study was divided into four phases. The interventions were carried out in 10 associations of older people. In each group, 20 sessions were conducted in each phase. Participants received a total of 80 sessions. Therefore, a total of 800 intervention sessions were conducted throughout the study. The ERFC Questionnaire was used to assess the intervention. Each participant performed eight assessments, two (initial and final) for each of the four stages.

Results

The study had a final sample of 237 participants. The intervention group had significantly better scores on the ERFC (at P < 0.001) than the control group at both post-intervention and follow-up, except in the third stage of the study, where no significant differences were found after the intervention between the study groups.

Conclusions

The main findings of this study indicate that the use of an Everyday Cognition Training Program presents greater benefits in the cognitive functioning in older adults than the use of a Traditional Cognitive Training Program.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04041999.

Keywords: active ageing, cognitive impairment, cognitive performance, cognitive training programmes, everyday cognition, occupational therapy, older adults.

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