Goal-Oriented Attention Self-Regulation (GOALS) training in older adults. (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Gary R.; Novakovic-Agopian, Tatjana; Kornblith, Erica; Adnan, Areeba; Madore, Michelle; Chen, Anthony J. W.; D'Esposito, Mark
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 24:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 464
• Page End: 473
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: Aging -- cognitive training -- rehabilitation -- executive function -- attention; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1534080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract Objectives: A common cognitive complaint of older adulthood is distractibility, or decline in ability to concentrate and maintain focus, yet few evidence-based interventions exist to address these deficits. We implemented s pilot trial of an evidence-based executive function training program, to investigate whether training in applied goal-directed attention regulation and problem solving would enhance executive control abilities in a sample of cognitively normal older adults with self-reported complaints of concentration problems. Method: Consecutively recruited participants were placed into small groups and randomized to either Goal-Oriented Attentional Self-Regulation training (GOALS; N = 15) or a closely matched Brain Health Education program (BHE; N = 15). Results: GOALS participants significantly improved on: neurocognitive measures of mental flexibility ( p = 0.03, partial eta squared = 0.23); real-world setting functional performance measures of: task failures ( p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.88), task rule breaks ( p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 1.06), and execution ( p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.76); and in-lab functional assessment of goal-directed behaviour divergent thinking scale ( p = 0.03, Cohen's d = 0.95). All participants improved on a neurocognitive measure of planning ( p = 0.01, partial eta squared = 0.031). BHE participants' improvement over and above GOALS participants was limited to: rule adherence on the real world task ( p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.99), and evaluator rating ( p = 0.03, Cohen's d = 0.56), and average score ( p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.71) on the in-lab functional task. Conclusion: Participation in GOALS training can enhance executive control, and lead to real-world functional improvements, for cognitively normal older adults with self-reported attention difficulties.