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Expectancy Does Not Predict 18-month Treatment Outcomes with Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment
J N Motter1, S N Rushia, M Qian
1Jeffrey N. Motter, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States.
The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer'S Disease
|January 17, 2024
Summary
Therapeutic expectancy did not influence treatment outcomes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients undergoing computerized cognitive training (CCT) or crossword puzzle training (CPT). Greater cognitive impairment and older age were linked to lower expectancy, but not treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Computerized cognitive training (CCT) shows promise for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- The role of patient expectancy in CCT effectiveness for MCI is not well understood.
- Investigating expectancy's influence is crucial for optimizing cognitive interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with therapeutic expectancy in MCI patients.
- To determine if therapeutic expectancy impacts treatment effects in CCT versus crossword puzzle training (CPT).
- To analyze expectancy's relationship with cognitive and functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial compared CCT and CPT in 107 MCI patients over 78 weeks.
- Patient expectancies for both training types were assessed pre-randomization.
- Cognitive function, everyday functioning, and hippocampus volume were measured.
Main Results:
- Patients expected greater improvement from CCT than CPT.
- Lower expectancy correlated with poorer baseline global cognition and older age.
- Expectancy did not predict treatment response or changes in cognitive/functional measures.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic expectancy in MCI patients is associated with baseline cognitive status and age.
- Expectancy does not appear to be a significant factor in treatment response for CCT or CPT.
- Future research should explore other moderators of treatment effectiveness in MCI.
