Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders

Minor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) represent a transitional phase between normal cognitive aging and dementia, highlighting the importance of early interventions. This study assessed the efficacy of a structured 6-month computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in stabilizing cognitive declin...

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Main Authors: Anna Tsiakiri, Spyridon Plakias, Pinelopi Vlotinou, Paraskevi Athanasouli, Aikaterini Terzoudi, Sotiria Kyriazidou, Aspasia Serdari, Georgia Karakitsiou, Kalliopi Megari, Nikolaos Aggelousis, Konstantinos Vadikolias, Foteini Christidi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/3/34
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author Anna Tsiakiri
Spyridon Plakias
Pinelopi Vlotinou
Paraskevi Athanasouli
Aikaterini Terzoudi
Sotiria Kyriazidou
Aspasia Serdari
Georgia Karakitsiou
Kalliopi Megari
Nikolaos Aggelousis
Konstantinos Vadikolias
Foteini Christidi
author_facet Anna Tsiakiri
Spyridon Plakias
Pinelopi Vlotinou
Paraskevi Athanasouli
Aikaterini Terzoudi
Sotiria Kyriazidou
Aspasia Serdari
Georgia Karakitsiou
Kalliopi Megari
Nikolaos Aggelousis
Konstantinos Vadikolias
Foteini Christidi
author_sort Anna Tsiakiri
collection DOAJ
description Minor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) represent a transitional phase between normal cognitive aging and dementia, highlighting the importance of early interventions. This study assessed the efficacy of a structured 6-month computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in stabilizing cognitive decline among older adults with minor NCDs. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a non-intervention group. The intervention group underwent weekly, personalized CCT sessions using the MeMo program, which targeted memory, attention, and adaptability. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and after six months using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG). Statistical analysis showed significant cognitive decline in the non-intervention group in orientation (<i>p</i> = 0.032), language expression (<i>p</i> = 0.008), praxis (<i>p</i> = 0.008), and memory (<i>p</i> = 0.01). In contrast, the intervention group showed no significant changes, except for a minor decline in perception (<i>p</i> = 0.003). These results suggest that CCT may help delay cognitive deterioration in minor NCDs. However, while cognitive decline was stabilized, no significant improvement was observed. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term benefits and the transferability of cognitive gains. The findings support the use of CCT as a non-pharmacological health promotion strategy for enhancing cognitive resilience in aging populations. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on adaptive CCT as a non-pharmacological intervention, highlighting the potential role of neuroplasticity in delaying cognitive decline and offering new insights into personalized cognitive health strategies for aging populations.
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spelling doaj-art-7a89e8da048f45169ed89df35c121e7b2025-08-20T03:43:15ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252025-03-011533410.3390/ejihpe15030034Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive DisordersAnna Tsiakiri0Spyridon Plakias1Pinelopi Vlotinou2Paraskevi Athanasouli3Aikaterini Terzoudi4Sotiria Kyriazidou5Aspasia Serdari6Georgia Karakitsiou7Kalliopi Megari8Nikolaos Aggelousis9Konstantinos Vadikolias10Foteini Christidi11Department of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, GreeceDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Child and Adolescent, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceSchool of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Psychology, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, GreeceDepartment of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceDepartment of Neurology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, GreeceMinor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) represent a transitional phase between normal cognitive aging and dementia, highlighting the importance of early interventions. This study assessed the efficacy of a structured 6-month computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in stabilizing cognitive decline among older adults with minor NCDs. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a non-intervention group. The intervention group underwent weekly, personalized CCT sessions using the MeMo program, which targeted memory, attention, and adaptability. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and after six months using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG). Statistical analysis showed significant cognitive decline in the non-intervention group in orientation (<i>p</i> = 0.032), language expression (<i>p</i> = 0.008), praxis (<i>p</i> = 0.008), and memory (<i>p</i> = 0.01). In contrast, the intervention group showed no significant changes, except for a minor decline in perception (<i>p</i> = 0.003). These results suggest that CCT may help delay cognitive deterioration in minor NCDs. However, while cognitive decline was stabilized, no significant improvement was observed. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term benefits and the transferability of cognitive gains. The findings support the use of CCT as a non-pharmacological health promotion strategy for enhancing cognitive resilience in aging populations. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on adaptive CCT as a non-pharmacological intervention, highlighting the potential role of neuroplasticity in delaying cognitive decline and offering new insights into personalized cognitive health strategies for aging populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/3/34minor neurocognitive disorderscomputerized cognitive trainingcognitive declinehealth promotionneuroplasticityaging
spellingShingle Anna Tsiakiri
Spyridon Plakias
Pinelopi Vlotinou
Paraskevi Athanasouli
Aikaterini Terzoudi
Sotiria Kyriazidou
Aspasia Serdari
Georgia Karakitsiou
Kalliopi Megari
Nikolaos Aggelousis
Konstantinos Vadikolias
Foteini Christidi
Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
minor neurocognitive disorders
computerized cognitive training
cognitive decline
health promotion
neuroplasticity
aging
title Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
title_full Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
title_fullStr Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
title_full_unstemmed Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
title_short Ιnnovative Health Promotion Strategies: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study on Computerized Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Minor Neurocognitive Disorders
title_sort ιnnovative health promotion strategies a 6 month longitudinal study on computerized cognitive training for older adults with minor neurocognitive disorders
topic minor neurocognitive disorders
computerized cognitive training
cognitive decline
health promotion
neuroplasticity
aging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/3/34
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