The Impact of a Home-Based Computerized Cognitive Training Intervention on Fall Risk Measure Performance in Community Dwelling Older Adults, a Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive intervention studies have reported improvements in various domains of cognition as well as a transfer effect of improved function post training. Despite the availability of web based cognitive training programs, most intervention studies have been performed under the supervision of researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to first, examine the feasibility of a six week home based computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in a group of community dwelling older adults and, second, to determine if a CCT program which focused on set shifting, attention, and visual spatial ability impacted fall risk measure performance.

DESIGN: This pilot study used a pretest/posttest experimental design with randomization by testing site to an intervention or control group.

PARTICIPANTS: Community dwelling older adults (mean age = 74.6 years) participated in either the control (N=25) or the intervention group (N=19).

INTERVENTION: Intervention group subjects participated in 6 weeks of home based CCT 3x/week for an average of 23 minutes/session, using an online CCT program.

MEASUREMENTS: Comparisons of mean scores on three measures of physical function (usual gait speed, five times sit to stand, timed up and go) were completed at baseline and week 7.

RESULTS: Following the completion of an average of 18 sessions of CCT at home with good adherence (86%) and retention (92%) rates, a statistically significant difference in gait speed was found between groups with an average improvement of 0.14 m/s in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION: A home based CCT program is a feasible approach to targeting cognitive impairments known to influence fall risk and changes in gait in older adults.