Development and evaluation of a community based multifaceted cognitive training program for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the effects of a multifaceted cognitive training program on cognitive function, depression, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in community dwelling elders with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The subjects were recruited from a community health center in D metropolitan city and were assigned to the experimental or control group. Weekly 50-minute session intervention was delivered to the experimental group over 12 weeks. 8 weeks and 12weeks after intervention, the changes in cognitive function, depression, and IADL in the groups were measured and compared. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, and post-hoc test with Bonferroni correction using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: When compared with their counterparts (n=15), the elders in the experimental group (n=12) showed significant improvement in cognitive function and depression at week 12. The mean scores of IADL at week 12 were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that this multifaceted cognitive training program is effective in improving cognitive function, depression, and avoiding deterioration of IADL among elders with mild cognitive impairment.