Cognitive training in Parkinson's disease reduces cognitive decline in the long term. (22nd December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petrelli, A.; Kaesberg, S.; Barbe, M. T.; Timmermann, L.; Rosen, J. B.; Fink, G. R.; Kessler, J.; Kalbe, E.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neurology. Volume 22:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 640
• Page End: 647
• Publication Date: 2014-12-22
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ene.12621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-5101

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ene12621-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ene12621-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and purpose</title> <p>Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at high risk for cognitive dysfunction. Non‐pharmacological interventions have attracted increasing interest for enhancing PD patients' cognitive functions.</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12621-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>One‐year follow‐up data (T<sub>2</sub>) of a randomized controlled trial evaluating two 6‐week cognitive trainings – a structured (NEUROvitalis, NV) and an unstructured <bold>(</bold>mentally fit, MF) program <bold>−</bold> compared with a waiting list control group (CG) in non‐demented PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr I–III) are presented. Forty‐seven PD patients were examined at T<sub>2</sub>. Effects on overall cognitive functions (Mini‐Mental State Examination and DemTect) were compared between all groups with repeated measurement analyses of variance. A combined score of the percentage change value from baseline (T<sub>0</sub>) to T<sub>2</sub> was calculated to identify patients who retained or improved their cognitive state (responders). The risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was analyzed.</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12621-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Significant time × treatment effects on overall cognitive functions were found for both training groups, each compared separately to the CG (DemTect, <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). Nine patients (56.3%) of the NV group, seven (41.2%) of the MF group and three (21.4%) of the CG were responders. Comparing NV to CG the odds ratio was 4.7 [95% confidence interval (0.8; 33.3)], and comparing MF to CG it was 2.6 [95% confidence interval (0.4; 17.4)]. MCI risk for patients without prior MCI was 40.0% in CG, 18.2% in MF and 18.2% in NV. The odds ratio was 3 comparing NV to CG, MF to CG.</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12621-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion</title> <p>This study gives evidence that cognitive training may be effective to prevent cognitive decline and onset of MCI in PD patients<bold>.</bold></p> </sec> </abstract>