Title : Semantic-based memory-encoding strategy in enhancing cognitive function and daily task performance for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot non-randomised
Abstract:
Background and Aims: Nearly 20% of adults over 65 years old are affected by mild cognitive impairment and up to 70% of these will go on to develop a type of dementia. There is a strong need for further research into early intervention strategies to delay the impact of cognitive decline on functioning in people with mild cognitive impairment. This study addressed this research gap by investigating the effectiveness of a semantic-based memory-encoding strategy intervention that enhances function for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Methods: A two-armed single-blind non-randomised controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-nine participants were allocated to the semantic-based memory-encoding strategy group and the cognitive stimulation group. Participants in both groups received one centre- or community-based session and one home-based session each week for 10 weeks. Outcome measures included functional assessments; Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) and Lawton’s Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and cognitive assessments; Consortium to Establish a Registry for the Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) Word List Memory and Word List Recall subtests, Digit Span Forward and Backward and the Cognistat administered before and after the intervention.
Results: No significant differences revealed in demographic data or clinical baseline measures. The semantic-based memory-encoding strategy group showed significant improvements in memory outcomes (CERAD Word List Memory p=0.033; CERAD Word List Recall p=0.000; Digit Span Backward p=0.004), general cognitive ability (Cognistat subtests of Attention p=0.028; Comprehension p=0.039; Naming p=0.004; Memory p=0.001; Calculations p=0.009; Similarity p=0.000; Judgement p=0.035) and function (DAD p=0.005). Cognitive stimulation group showed significant improvement in the cognitive ability (Cognistat Similarity subtest (p=0.029)) and function (DAD p=0.029; IADL p=0.030). Between group analysis showed significant differences in favour of the semantic-based memory-encoding strategies group for CERAD Word List Recall (p=0.000) and Cognistat Similarity subtest (p=0.000).
Conclusion: This study shows that the semantic-based memory encoding strategy is an effective intervention with improvements in memory, cognitive ability and functional performance for people with mild cognitive impairment. Using the memory strategy can be considered to promote healthy ageing for our older population in the future.
