Assessment of Cognitive Training & Social Interaction in People with Mild to Moderate Dementia: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and quality of life outcomes of computer-based cognitive training and social interaction on people with mild to moderate dementia.

METHODS: Ten individuals with dementia were recruited to complete a cognitive training regimen. They were randomly assigned to a high social interaction (HSI) group (n = 5) and low social interaction (LSI) group (n = 5). Eight of the original 10 participants completed the cognitive training and were evaluated on cognitive abilities, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS: Mean scores for the HSI group increased on cognitive assessments, where mean scores for the LSI group saw decline, or stability. There was an overall reduction in the frequency and severity of NPS presentation in both the HSI and LSI group. Mixed results were found for mean changes in QoL.

DISCUSSION: These results support the idea of social interaction influencing cognitive outcomes, cognitive training influencing NPS, and both social interaction and cognitive training influencing QoL. The findings illustrate the feasibility and importance of incorporating social activity to computerized cognitive training for people with dementia.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cognitive training that incorporates social interaction may be a promising intervention for individuals with dementia experiencing NPS.