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Computerized cognitive stimulation and engagement programs in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: comparing feasibility, acceptability, and cognitive and psychosocial effects
Djabelkhir L, Wu YH, Vidal JS, Cristancho-Lacroix V, Marlats F, Lenoir H, Carno A, Rigaud AS.. Clinical interventions in aging, 2017-11-21
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Purpose Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with a higher risk of dementia and is becoming a topic of interest for pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. With advances in technology, computer-based cognitive exercises are increasingly integrated into traditional cognitive interventions, such as cognitive training. Another type of cognitive intervention involving technology use is cognitive engagement, consisting of involving participants in highly motivational and mentally challenging activities, such as learning to use a form of new digital technology. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a computerized cognitive stimulation (CCS) program and a computerized cognitive engagement (CCE) program, and then compared their effects in older adults with MCI. Patients and methods In this randomized study, data from 19 MCI patients were analyzed (n=9 in CCS and n=10 in CCE). The patients attended a group weekly session for a duration of 3 months. Assessments of cognitive and psychosocial variables were conducted at baseline (M0) and at the end of the programs (M3). Results All of the participants attended the 12 sessions and showed a high level of motivation. Attrition rate was very low (one dropout at M3 assessment). At M3, the CCS participants displayed a significant improvement in part B of the Trail Making Test (TMT-B; p =0.03) and self-esteem ( p =0.005), while the CCE participants showed a significant improvement in part A of the Trail Making Test (TMT-A; p =0.007) and a higher level of technology acceptance ( p =0.006). The two groups did not differ significantly ( p >0.05) in cognitive and psychosocial changes after the intervention. However, medium effect sizes (Cohen's d=0.56; 95% CI =-0.43:1.55) were found on the free recall, favoring the CCS group, as well as on TMT-A (d=0.51; 95% CI =-0.48:1.49) and technology acceptance (d=-0.65; 95% CI =-1.64:0.34), favoring the CCE group. Conclusion Both interventions were highly feasible and acceptable and allowed improvement in different aspects of cognitive and psychosocial functioning in MCI subjects.
Key findings
- Purpose Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with a higher risk of dementia and is becoming a topic of interest for pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions.
- Results All of the participants attended the 12 sessions and showed a high level of motivation.
- At M3, the CCS participants displayed a significant improvement in part B of the Trail Making Test (TMT-B; p =0.03) and self-esteem ( p =0.005), while the CCE participants showed a significant improvement in part A of the Trail Making Test (TMT-A; p =0.007) and a higher level of technology acceptance ( p =0.006).
- The two groups did not differ significantly ( p >0.05) in cognitive and psychosocial changes after the intervention.
Why it matters
In this small randomized study of 19 patients with mild cognitive impairment, those in the computerized cognitive stimulation group improved on part B of the Trail Making Test and self-esteem, while the computerized cognitive engagement group improved on part A of the Trail Making Test. The sample is very small, so it is too early to say whether these programs prevent dementia.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for sample size and effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Clinical interventions in aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Clinical Interventions in Aging: journal h-index 138 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial (from PubMed type “Randomized Controlled Trial”) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2017 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (pubmed indexes it as a clinical or observational study) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 107 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 9.7 citations a year over 11 year(s) since 2017 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 33 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Anne‐Sophie Rigaud: h-index 36 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris: institution h-index 1,236 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 29200836) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.2147/cia.s145769
- PubMed: 29200836
- Original source →
- Free full text: Clinical Interventions in Aging →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 8 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Djabelkhir, L., Wu, Y. H., Vidal, J. S., Cristancho-Lacroix, V., Marlats, F., Lenoir, H., et al. (2017). Computerized cognitive stimulation and engagement programs in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: comparing feasibility, acceptability, and cognitive and psychosocial effects. Clinical interventions in aging. https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s145769
Vancouver
Djabelkhir L, Wu YH, Vidal JS, Cristancho-Lacroix V, Marlats F, Lenoir H, et al. Computerized cognitive stimulation and engagement programs in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: comparing feasibility, acceptability, and cognitive and psychosocial effects. Clinical interventions in aging. 2017. doi:10.2147/cia.s145769. PMID: 29200836.
BibTeX
@article{djabelkhir2017-29200836,
author = {Djabelkhir, L. and Wu, Y. H. and Vidal, J. S. and Cristancho-Lacroix, V. and Marlats, F. and Lenoir, H. and Carno, A. and Rigaud, A. S.},
title = {{Computerized cognitive stimulation and engagement programs in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: comparing feasibility, acceptability, and cognitive and psychosocial effects}},
journal = {Clinical interventions in aging},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.2147/cia.s145769},
pmid = {29200836},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s145769}
}
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