RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT04820335

Promoting Independence With Compensatory Cognitive Rehabilitation

Promoting Independence With Compensatory Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Trial for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Sponsor

University of Delaware

Enrollment

65 participants

Start Date

Feb 1, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease Mild Cognitive Impairment

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of disability in older adults. Because pharmacological approaches do not seem to prevent or slow the disease, clinicians need non-pharmacological interventions that might help people with AD remain independent for as long as possible. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a new behavioral treatment, the Structured External Memory Aid Treatment (SEMAT), for adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) designed to promote independent living skills by explicitly teaching the use of strategies and tools to compensate for cognitive weaknesses. Aim 1: Evaluate the efficacy of the SEMAT for improving functional performance in a pilot randomized trial. Aim 2: Evaluate demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological predictors of treatment adherence. Aim 3: Develop and refine the SEMAT manual and other materials for training future interventionists.

Eligibility

Min Age: 60 YearsMax Age: 90 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

years of age
English Speaking
Functional Vision and Hearing to Complete Phone Screen
not taking or stable ( \>2 months) on nootropic meds
amnestic mild cognitive impairment from probable Alzheimer's disease

Exclusion Criteria6

History of major psychiatric disorder (e.g. schizophrenia)
Untreated major depression
History of medical diseases that are related to cognitive impairment
current participation in another clinical trial related to memory
major auditory, visual, or motor impairment that would affect their ability to participate in the study
substance use disorder in the past 5 years

Interventions

BEHAVIORALStructured External Memory Aid Treatment (SEMAT)

During the 7 weeks of treatment, the interventionist will teach 3 categories of external memory aids (calendars, timers, notes) following an already-developed detailed treatment manual (described here briefly). Week 1: Introduction of External Memory Aid Treatment and Person-Centered Goal Setting. Weeks 2-7. In the next six weeks, three categories of external memory aids will be taught: calendars, timers, and notes. The focus of the first session will be how to use the strategies, and the second session will build awareness of when to use these strategies during everyday tasks. Within each category, three types of strategies will be taught to participants. Within each session, learning phases will follow training stages from compensatory learning theory: 1) acquisition phase, 2) application phase, and 3) an adaptation phase.