Self-administered home digital cognitive enhancement system (DCES) enhances cognitive function in Chinese healthy...

Cognitive function may decline with age, increasing the risk of dementia. Cognitive training can help to slow down this process. Digital Cognitive Enhancement System (DCES) is a novel home-based adaptive cognitive training system. We aim at evaluating and analyzing the efficacy of DCES in enhancing cognitive functions among the elderly and its neural mechanisms.

This 10-week study included 64 healthy elderly individuals, conducted as a single-blind, block-randomized controlled trial, registered at the China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400091044). Participants were divided into the DCES group and the control group, with sessions occurring 5 days a week, each lasting 0.5 h, for a total of 10 weeks. Cognitive and brain function changes were assessed before and after the intervention, with results analyzed using linear-regression analysis and correlation coefficients calculated.

After 10 weeks of intervention, the DCES group showed significant improvements in overall cognitive function, visuospatial function, memory and attention. DCES training significantly reduced fALFF values in the bilateral supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Its enhancement of immediate memory is closely linked to baseline activation levels in the left SMG.

The DCES training showed positive intervention effects, and changes in bilateral SMG activity may provide neurological support for cognitive ability enhancement.