Table 2 Selected features of the included studies
Study | Number of conditions | Conditions compared | Duration | Age in years, mean (SD or SE) | Education, mean (SD) | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beck et al. [55] (1988) | 20 | Intervention (n = 10): cognitive skills remediation training Control (n = 10): no treatment | 18 sessions of 30-40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks | 75 (SD not reported) | Data reported in frequencies | Differences in favor of the experimental group were found on one measure of memory (recall of digits). |
Heiss et al. [57] (1994) | 80 | Intervention (n = 18): computerized cognitive training targeting memory, perception, and motor skills Control (n = 17): social support | 48 × 60-minute sessions, twice a week for 24 weeks |  | Not reported | Improved cognitive and brain activation outcomes were reported for the group that received cognitive training combined with pharmacological treatment (not included in the analyses). |
Quayhagen et al. [9] (1995) | 79 | Intervention (n = 25): cognitive training facilitated by caregiver targeting memory, problem-solving, and conversational fluency, combined with weekly home visits by therapist Control (n = 25): wait-list control | 72 × 60-minute sessions for 12 weeks | 73.6 (SD not specified) | 12.6 (4.1) | At the follow-up assessment, participants in the experimental condition were at or around baseline on cognitive and behavioral measures, whereas the control group showed further decline. |
De Vreese et al. [56] (1998) | 24 | Intervention (n = 9): cognitive training targeting memory, language, and executive functions, combined with home practice facilitated by the caregiver Control (n = 9): placebo medication | 24 × 45-minute sessions for 12 weeks | Not reported | Not reported | Benefits on both the cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes were observed in the group that received a combination of Ach-I and cognitive training (not included in the analyses). |
Quayhagen et al. [25] (2000) | 103 | Intervention (n = 21): cognitive training delivered by the caregiver with therapist support and targeting memory, problem-solving, and conversational fluency Control (n = 15): wait-list control treatment | 40 × 60-minute sessions for 8 weeks | 74.5 (SE = 0.7) | 14.5 (SE = 0.3) | At the 3-month follow-up assessment, only participants in the cognitive training group showed significant improvement in their scores on composite cognitive measures (delayed memory and verbal fluency). Caregivers of patients in this group had lower depressive symptoms. |
Davis et al. [10] (2001) | 37 | Intervention (n = 19): cognitive training targeting face-name associations and recall using spaced retrieval, combined with home practice on attention training exercises Control (n = 18): active control intervention consisting of weekly clinic visits involving unstructured conversation and questioning with the examiner as well as viewing health-related videos | 5 × 60-minute sessions for 5 weeks | 70.61 (5.74) | 14.01 (3.21) | Participants in the cognitive training group improved on trained tasks. However, no differences between the groups were observed on any of the untrained outcome measures. |
Koltai et al. [23] (2001) | 24 | Intervention (n = 16): memory and coping program in individual (n = 8) or group (n = 8) sessions. The program included training and practice in strategies of spaced retrieval, face-name recall, verbal elaboration, concentration/ overt repetition, use of external memory aids, and ways of coping. Where available, caregivers joined the last 10 to 15 minutes of each session. Control (n = 8): wait-list control | 5-6 × 60-minute sessions for 5-6 weeks | 73.4 (6.95) | 15 | Trends favoring the cognitive training group were observed, but no comparison reached statistical significance. |
Cahn-Weiner et al. [24] (2003) | 34 | Intervention (n = 17): cognitive training program to improve word-list recall and recognition Control (n = 17): active control group receiving didactic presentations but no formal memory training | 6 × 45-minute sessions for 6 weeks | 76.9 (7.05) | 12.9 (2.8) | No group differences were found on any of the outcome measures. |
Loewenstein et al. [16] (2004) | 44 | Intervention (n = 25): cognitive training targeting face-name associations, orientation, attention, procedural memory, calculating change during purchase, and paying bills Control (n = 19): an active, cognitive stimulation group engaged in generic computer games as well as in word games and exercises and in conversations about recent and distant topics | 24 × 45-minute sessions for 12-16 weeks | 76.4 (5.9) | 13.7 (3.5) | Participants in the cognitive training group improved in their performance on tasks analogous to the ones used during training to a greater extent than the mental stimulation group. There were no group differences on any of the untrained tasks. |
Galante et al. [14] (2007) | 11 | Intervention (n = 7): computerized cognitive training targeting various cognitive domains Control (n = 4): active control group involving participants attending sessions that included a semi-structured interview/conversations focused on current affairs in meaningful life events | 12 × 60-minute sessions, 3 times per week for 4 weeks | Not reported | Not reported | Participants in the control group have shown a decline in Mini-Mental State Examination scores over the 9 months of the study, whereas participants in the cognitive training group remained stable by the end of the study period. No other differences were observed. |
Neely et al. [17] (2009) | 30 dyads | Intervention (n = 10): cognitive training facilitated by a therapist focusing on strategies to support everyday mnemonic and occupational performance. The cognitive training group employed spaced retrieval to practice a face-name task and hierarchical cueing to practice both a table-setting activity and the face-name task. Control (n = 10): no-treatment group | 8 × 60-minute sessions for 8 weeks | 75.9 (6.6) | Not reported | No differences between the individual cognitive training group and the control group were observed on any of the outcome measures. |
Clare et al. [54] (2010) | 69 | Intervention (n = 22): cognitive rehabilitation targeting patient-derived personal goals. Sessions were supported by components addressing practical aids and strategies, techniques for learning new information, practice in maintaining attention, and techniques for stress management. Control (n = 22): no-treatment group | 8 × 60-minute sessions for 8 weeks | 77.2 (6.4) | 11.4 (2.9) | Participants in the cognitive rehabilitation group have shown a significant improvement in their rating of goal performance and satisfaction as well as increased or preserved activation in several brain regions. |