Neuropsychological Functioning in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Insomnia Randomized to CBT-I or Control Group. Issue 2 (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassidy-Eagle, Erin; Siebern, Allison; Unti, Lisa; Glassman, Jill; O'Hara, Ruth
• Is Part Of: Clinical gerontologist. Volume 41:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: CBT-I -- MCI -- nonpharmacological -- older adults -- sleep; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2017.1384777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-7115

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives : Improving the sleep of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a first step in discovering whether interventions directed at modifying this risk factor also have the potential to alter the cognitive decline trajectory. Methods : A six-session, adapted version of a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) was administered to older adults (N = 28; 14 per group) with MCI across two residential facilities. Participants were randomly assigned to either the sleep intervention or an active control group and completed a neuropsychological battery at three time points (e.g., baseline-T1, post-intervention-T2, 4 month follow-up-T3). Results : Results showed a significant improvement in sleep and a change ( p < .05) on a key measure of executive functioning sub task of inhibition (Condition 3 of D-KEF Color-Word Interference Test), a positive trend on the inhibition-switching task ( p < .10; Condition 4 of D-KEF Color-Word Interference Test), an no change in a measure of verbal memory (HVLT-R Delayed Recall) compared with the active control group. Conclusions : CBT-I is a nonpharmacological intervention that has the potential to cognitively benefit individuals with MCI suffering from comorbid insomnia. Clinical Implications : Results suggest that a non-pharmacological intervention to improve sleep in older adults with MCI also improve cognitive functioning. Further exploration of the mechanisms underlying these improvements is warranted.