Effects of SUDOKU Mind Activation & Revitalizing Training on Cognitive Function in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Overview

This study aims to implement a SUDOKU Mind Activation and Revitalization Training (SMART) Program to promote cognitive health among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the use of active mind strategy in preventing dementia among the older adults. The SMART Program consists of two components including, a community empowerment-educational campaign on active mind strategies for older adults, and a 24-week SUDOKU Training Programme for people with MCI.

Full Title of Study: “New Wine in Old Bottle: the Effects of SUDOKU Mind Activation and Revitalizing Training (SMART) Program on Cognitive Function Among People With Mild Cognitive Impairment”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: October 31, 2023

Detailed Description

This study aims to implement a SMART Program to promote cognitive health among patients with MCI, and the use of active mind strategy in preventing dementia among the older adults. The SMART Program consists of two components including, a community empowerment-educational campaign on active mind strategies for older adults, and a 24-week SUDOKU Training Programme for people with MCI. The community empowerment-educational campaign will be conducted in the elderly care centres of the two collaborating non-governmental organizations, with the purpose of increasing the awareness of people aged 55 or above on the importance of maintaining an active mind and preventing age-related cognitive decline and dementia. The campaign will include cognitive screening, poster exhibition, booth exhibition and individual counselling. The SUDOKU training program include a 12-week face-to-face training session and a 12-week facilitated self-practice. The face-to-face sessions aim at developing the skills of the participants in solving the SUDOKU using the T-code. The 12-week training program will be evenly divided into three modules of increasing difficulty, with consideration given to the suboptimal cognitive function of the participants with MCI. These modules are developed by the Co-investigator who has rich prior experience in teaching older adults on SUDOKU puzzle.

Interventions

  • Behavioral: 24-week SUDOKU Training Programme
    • 12-week face-to-face training session and a 12-week facilitated self-practice
  • Other: Control Arm (wait-list)
    • wait-list comparison group will receive the same program upon completion of the 6-month posttest evaluation on study outcomes

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: 24-week SUDOKU Training Programme
    • The SUDOKU training program include a 12-week face-to-face training session and a 12-week facilitated self-practice. The 12-week (60-minute sessions) training program will be evenly divided into 3 modules of increasing difficulty for the suboptimal cognitive function of the participants with MCI. As the use of T-code in solving the SUDOKU allows communicating the way a number is assigned to a box, participants are grouped into a small team of 3, so that they will work together during the tutorial practice. Facilitated self-practice will last for another 12 weeks immediately after the group training session. The instructor will give them a workbook with 12 SUDOKU puzzles of increasing level of difficulty for completion. The instructor will encourage and facilitate their accomplishment by giving them guidance on the taught method through regular phone call. Solutions of the assigned puzzle and the T-code will be provided in the following week.
  • Active Comparator: wait-list
    • wait-list comparison group will receive the same program upon completion of the 6-month posttest evaluation on study outcomes

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Cantonese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog)
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To evaluate various domains of cognition
  • Cantonese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog)
    • Time Frame: 12-week
    • To evaluate various domains of cognition
  • Cantonese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog)
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To evaluate various domains of cognition
  • The digit span-forward and backward test
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To measure attention and working memory
  • The digit span-forward and backward test
    • Time Frame: 12-week
    • To measure attention and working memory
  • The digit span-forward and backward test
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To measure attention and working memory
  • The list learning delayed recall test
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To measure episodic memory
  • The list learning delayed recall test
    • Time Frame: 12-week
    • To measure episodic memory
  • The list learning delayed recall test
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To measure episodic memory
  • Trail-Making Test Part A and B
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To measure complex attention, executive function and task switching
  • Trail-Making Test Part A and B
    • Time Frame: 12-week
    • To measure complex attention, executive function and task switching
  • Trail-Making Test Part A and B
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To measure complex attention, executive function and task switching

Secondary Measures

  • Memory Inventory for Chinese
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To evaluate the subjective memory impairment
  • Memory Inventory for Chinese
    • Time Frame: 12-week
    • To evaluate the subjective memory impairment
  • Memory Inventory for Chinese
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To evaluate the subjective memory impairment
  • The 36-item Chinese version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36)
    • Time Frame: Baseline
    • To measure Health-related quality of life in the participants
  • The 36-item Chinese version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36)
    • Time Frame: 24-week
    • To measure Health-related quality of life in the participants

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • People with MCI as defined by a score of 19-26 out of the 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in the general public and aged 55 or above. Exclusion Criteria:

  • Persons with dementia and communication problems will be excluded.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 55 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • The University of Hong Kong
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Prof. Yu, Doris Sau Fung, Professor – The University of Hong Kong
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Doris, Sau Fung YU, PhD, Principal Investigator, The University of Hong Kong

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