NCT00586638

Training Cognitive Control Processes in Older Adults

Pilot Study Using a Video Game to Train Cognitive Control Processes in Healthy Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Columbia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Control processes are classes of brain activity that initiate, coordinate, synchronize, and regulate elemental cognitive functions for the conduct of goal-directed behavior. The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a computer-based training protocol designed to enhance cognitive control processes will improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults.

Detailed description

The proposed research investigates whether exposure to a computer-based training protocol designed to enhance cognitive control processes will improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Cognitively normal adults aged 60-75 will be randomized into three experimental groups: 1) Video game play with training strategy; 2) Video game play without training strategy (Active Control); 3) Minimal contact (Passive Control). Subjects in Groups 1 and 2 will be instructed to play the complex, high-demand video game, Space Fortress, for 36 one-hour sessions over 12 weeks. Subjects in Group 3 will receive all assessments but will not play the computer game.

Conditions

• Neurologic Manifestations
• Neurobehavioral Manifestations

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Video game based training	36 one-hour sessions over 12 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-12-01
• Primary completion: 2010-02-01
• Completion: 2010-02-01
• First posted: 2008-01-04
• Last updated: 2015-08-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States