Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training by VIRTRAEL on Memory and Executive Function in Older People: A Pilot Study
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Rute Pérez, Sandra; Rodríguez Domínguez, Carlos; Vélez Coto, María; Pérez García, Miguel; Caracuel Romero, AlfonsoEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Computerized cognitive training Traditional paper-and-pencil cognitive training Cognitive stimulation Older adults Aging
Fecha
2023-04-19Referencia bibliográfica
Rute-Pérez, S.; Rodríguez-Domínguez, C.; Vélez-Coto, M.; Pérez-García, M.; Caracuel, A. Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training by VIRTRAEL on Memory and Executive Function in Older People: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci. 2023, 13, 684. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040684
Patrocinador
Project (TIC-6600) from the Ministry of Innovation of the Regional Government of Andalusia in SpainResumen
The prevalence of people over 60 years of age with cognitive impairment has increased
in recent decades. As a consequence, numerous computerized cognitive trainings (CCT) have been
developed. This pilot study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the CCT with VIRTRAEL in
improving older adults’ cognition. Fifty-five participants (x = 72.7 years; SD = 6.5) underwent CCT,
and twenty participants (x = 76.1 years; SD = 7.6) received face-to-face cognitive stimulation with
a paper-and-pencil methodology. Both trainings were conducted in nine sessions (45–60 min each).
Participants completed a pre-post training neuropsychological assessment. ANCOVAs and the
standardized clinical change were performed. VIRTRAEL’s group showed a significant and greater
improvement in verbal learning (p < 0.006) and delayed recall (p 0.001), working memory (p < 0.005),
abstract (p < 0.002) and semantic reasoning (p < 0.015), and planning (p < 0.021). Additionally, more
large clinical changes (d > 0.8) were found in the VIRTRAEL condition (in verbal learning and delayed
free and cued recall) than in the standard group. Here we show that the CCT with VIRTRAEL is
effective in improving cognitive function in older adults and is superior to the standard format. These
preliminary findings indicate that CCT is a useful tool potentially applicable in the fight against
cognitive symptomatology associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. VIRTRAEL
represents a breakthrough in this field as it is inexpensive and easily accessible to any older person,
regardless of whether they live far from health care resources.