Giuli C, Fattoretti P, Gagliardi C, Mocchegiani E, Venarucci D, Balietti M, Casoli T, Costarelli L, Giacconi R, Malavolta M, Papa R, Lattanzio F, Postacchini D
Geriatrics Operative Unit, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA) IRCCS, Contrada Mossa, 63900, Fermo, Italy.
Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Italian National Research Centre on Aging (INRCA), via Birarelli, Ancona, Italy.
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2017 Jun;29(3):353-360. doi: 10.1007/s40520-016-0570-1. Epub 2016 Apr 22.
Cognitive decline and dementia represent a key problem for public health as they heavily impair social functioning and independent living. The development of new strategies to support recommendations for patients and their caregivers may represent an outstanding step forward.
To describe the study protocol and methods of "My Mind Project: the effect of cognitive training for elderly" (Grant No. 154/GR-2009-1584108), which investigates, by the use of a multidisciplinary approach, the effects of a comprehensive cognitive training programme on performances in aged subjects with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive functioning.
The study is a prospective randomized intervention for the assessment of cognitive training effects in three groups of elderly subjects with different cognitive status. A total of 321 elderly people were enrolled in Marche Region, Italy. Each subject was randomly assigned to an experimental group or to a control group. Cognitive performances and biochemical blood markers have also been analysed before cognitive training (baseline), immediately after termination (follow-up 1), after 6 months (follow-up 2) and after 2 years (follow-up 3).
The results will be useful to identify some efficient programmes for the enhancement of cognitive performance in elderly with and without cognitive decline.
The application of a non-pharmacological approach in the treatment of elderly with cognitive disorders could have a profound impact on National Health Service.
认知能力下降和痴呆是公共卫生领域的一个关键问题，因为它们严重损害社会功能和独立生活能力。制定新策略以支持针对患者及其护理人员的建议可能是向前迈出的重要一步。
描述“My Mind项目：老年人认知训练的效果”（资助编号154/GR - 2009 - 1584108）的研究方案和方法，该项目通过多学科方法研究全面认知训练计划对患有轻度至中度阿尔茨海默病、轻度认知障碍和认知功能正常的老年受试者的表现的影响。
该研究是一项前瞻性随机干预研究，用于评估三组不同认知状态的老年受试者的认知训练效果。意大利马尔凯地区共招募了321名老年人。每个受试者被随机分配到实验组或对照组。在认知训练前（基线）、训练结束后立即（随访1）、6个月后（随访2）和2年后（随访3）还对认知表现和血液生化指标进行了分析。
研究结果将有助于确定一些有效的方案，以提高有认知能力下降和无认知能力下降的老年人的认知表现。
在治疗患有认知障碍的老年人时应用非药物方法可能会对国家卫生服务产生深远影响。
