JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

To prevent age-related cognitive impairment, many intervention programs offer exercises targeting different central cognitive processes. However, the effects of different process-based training programs are rarely compared within equivalent experimental designs. Using a randomized double-blind controlled trial, this project aims to examine and compare the impact of two process-based interventions, inhibition and updating, on the cognition and brain of older adults.

Methods:

Ninety older adults were randomly assigned to one of three training conditions: 1) inhibition (Stroop-like exercises), 2) updating (N-back-type exercises), and 3) control active (quiz game exercise). Training was provided in 12 half-hour sessions over four weeks. First, the performance gain observed will be measured on the trained tasks. We will then determine the extent of transfer of gain on: 1) untrained tasks that rely on the same cognitive process, 2) complex working memory (WM) measurements hypothesized to involve one of the two trained processes, and 3) virtual reality tasks that were designed to mimic real-life situations that require WM. We will assess whether training increases cortical thickness in regions known to be involved in WM or changes task-related brain activation patterns measured with functional MRI (fMRI). Dose effects will be examined by measuring outcomes at different time points during training. We will also determine whether individual characteristics moderate the effect of training on cognitive and cerebral outcomes. Finally, we will evaluate whether training reduces the age-related deficit on transfer and brain outcomes, by comparing study participants to a group of thirty younger adults.