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Hardcastle C, Kraft JN, Hausman HK, O'Shea A, Albizu A, Evangelista ND, Boutzoukas EM, Van Etten EJ, Bharadwaj PK, Song H, Smith SG, Porges E, DeKosky ST, Hishaw GA, Wu SS, Marsiske M, Cohen R, Alexander GE, Woods AJ. Learning ratio performance on a brief visual learning and memory test moderates cognitive training gains in Double Decision task in healthy older adults. GeroScience 2024; 46:3929-3943. [PMID: 38457007 PMCID: PMC11226577 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive training using a visual speed-of-processing task, called the Useful Field of View (UFOV) task, reduced dementia risk and reduced decline in activities of daily living at a 10-year follow-up in older adults. However, there was variability in the achievement of cognitive gains after cognitive training across studies, suggesting moderating factors. Learning trials of visual and verbal learning tasks recruit similar cognitive abilities and have overlapping neural correlates with speed-of-processing/working memory tasks and therefore could serve as potential moderators of cognitive training gains. This study explored the association between the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) learning with a commercial UFOV task called Double Decision. Through a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, we assessed the moderation of HVLT-R and BVMT-R learning on Double Decision improvement after a 3-month speed-of-processing/attention and working memory cognitive training intervention in a sample of 75 cognitively healthy older adults. Multiple linear regressions showed that better baseline Double Decision performance was significantly associated with better BVMT-R learning (β = - .303). This association was not significant for HVLT-R learning (β = - .142). Moderation analysis showed that those with poorer BVMT-R learning improved the most on the Double Decision task after cognitive training. This suggests that healthy older adults who perform below expectations on cognitive tasks related to the training task may show the greatest training gains. Future cognitive training research studying visual speed-of-processing interventions should account for differing levels of visuospatial learning at baseline, as this could impact the magnitude of training outcomes and efficacy of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheshire Hardcastle
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jessica N Kraft
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hanna K Hausman
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andrew O'Shea
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alejandro Albizu
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nicole D Evangelista
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Emanuel M Boutzoukas
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Emily J Van Etten
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Pradyumna K Bharadwaj
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hyun Song
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Samantha G Smith
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Eric Porges
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Georg A Hishaw
- Department Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Samuel S Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael Marsiske
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ronald Cohen
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Gene E Alexander
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona and Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Yang HL, Chu H, Miao NF, Chang PC, Tseng P, Chen R, Chiu HL, Banda KJ, Chou KR. The Construction and Evaluation of Executive Attention Training to Improve Selective Attention, Focused Attention, and Divided Attention for Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 27:1257-1267. [PMID: 31248769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the immediate and long-term effects of executive attention training on selective attention, focused attention, and divided attention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS A double-blind, multisite randomized controlled trial at five sites. Seventy participants (mean age: 78.19 ± 7.22 years) were assigned to an experimental group (executive attention training, n = 35) or an active control group (n = 35). The training duration was the same for both groups (45 minutes per session, 3 times per week, 18 sessions in total). Primary outcome measure was selective attention (Digit Span Task). Secondary outcome measures included focused attention (Stroop Color Word Test) and divided attention (Trail-Making Test Part B). Data were collected at pretest, post-test, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS In GEE analysis, findings indicated a significant improvement in selective attention at post-test, whereas divided attention showed significant reducing omission error at 3-month follow-up. There was no significant effect of group in focused attention associated with the executive attention training compared with active control group. CONCLUSION The executive attention training significantly improved selective attention and divided attention performance. Future studies should identify transfer effects of attention training, and that can employ early screening to provide integrated attention training, and decrease its relevant risks on competency in performing daily activities, such as falling and driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ling Yang
- School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin Chu
- Institute of Aerospace and Undersea Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nae-Fang Miao
- Post-Baccalaureate Program in Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Chen Chang
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Philip Tseng
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain and Consciousness Research Center, TMU - Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ruey Chen
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Ling Chiu
- School of Gerontology Health Management, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kondwani Joseph Banda
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Endoscopy Unit, Department of Surgery , Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kuei-Ru Chou
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Causal functional contributions and interactions in the attention network of the brain: an objective multi-perturbation analysis. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:2553-68. [PMID: 26002616 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spatial attention is a prime example for the distributed network functions of the brain. Lesion studies in animal models have been used to investigate intact attentional mechanisms as well as perspectives for rehabilitation in the injured brain. Here, we systematically analyzed behavioral data from cooling deactivation and permanent lesion experiments in the cat, where unilateral deactivation of the posterior parietal cortex (in the vicinity of the posterior middle suprasylvian cortex, pMS) or the superior colliculus (SC) cause a severe neglect in the contralateral hemifield. Counterintuitively, additional deactivation of structures in the opposite hemisphere reverses the deficit. Using such lesion data, we employed a game-theoretical approach, multi-perturbation Shapley value analysis (MSA), for inferring functional contributions and network interactions of bilateral pMS and SC from behavioral performance in visual attention studies. The approach provides an objective theoretical strategy for lesion inferences and allows a unique quantitative characterization of regional functional contributions and interactions on the basis of multi-perturbations. The quantitative analysis demonstrated that right posterior parietal cortex and superior colliculus made the strongest positive contributions to left-field orienting, while left brain regions had negative contributions, implying that their perturbation may reverse the effects of contralateral lesions or improve normal function. An analysis of functional modulations and interactions among the regions revealed redundant interactions (implying functional overlap) between regions within each hemisphere, and synergistic interactions between bilateral regions. To assess the reliability of the MSA method in the face of variable and incomplete input data, we performed a sensitivity analysis, investigating how much the contribution values of the four regions depended on the performance of specific configurations and on the prediction of unknown performances. The results suggest that the MSA approach is sensitive to categorical, but insensitive to gradual changes in the input data. Finally, we created a basic network model that was based on the known anatomical interactions among cortical-tectal regions and reproduced the experimentally observed behavior in visual orienting. We discuss the structural organization of the network model relative to the causal modulations identified by MSA, to aid a mechanistic understanding of the attention network of the brain.
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