Transferring Speed of Processing Gains to Everyday Cognitive Tasks After Stroke

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Dec 6, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at two different ways to help adults who have had a stroke and are experiencing mild to moderate difficulty with thinking and memory. The study involves a special computer game designed to improve how quickly people can process information. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive extra training on daily activities that require thinking skills, while the other group will focus on healthy habits like relaxation, nutrition, and sleep. Both groups will get about 35 hours of training, with sessions happening at home and in a lab, and caregivers will also receive guidance on how to support participants.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to have had a stroke more than a year ago, have some difficulty with thinking as shown by specific tests, and be at least 40 years old. They should be well enough physically and mentally to participate and have someone to help them through the process. Throughout the study, participants will take tests to measure their thinking abilities before, during, and after the training, and researchers will also check in with them months later to see how well they have maintained any improvements. This trial aims to find out which training approach works better and if follow-up calls can help reinforce the positive changes in their everyday lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Primary Inclusion Criteria:
• • stroke \> 3 months previously
• • mild-to-moderate general cognitive impairment as determined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score between 10-26
• • some impairment in performance of daily activities; this will be determined by a score of 3.5 or below on the Cognitive Task Activity Log (CTAL)
• Additional Inclusion Criteria:
• • 40 years or older; no upper limit if medically stable
• • sufficiently fit, from both a physical and mental health perspective, to take part in study
• • adequate sight and hearing to complete UFOV test
• • adequate thinking skills, e.g., ability to follow directions, retain information, to complete UFOV and CTAL, as marked by judgement of the screener that the candidate is able to adequately complete the UFOV and CTAL
• • reside in the community (as opposed to a hospital or skilled nursing facility)
• • able to travel to laboratory on multiple occasions
• • caregiver available
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • cognitive impairment due to a developmental disability, psychiatric disorder, or substance abuse or due to another type of brain injury, such a traumatic brain injury, or a progressive brain disease, such as Alzheimer's Dementia