Evidence for Your Practice: Cognitive training interventions and depression in mild cognitive impairment and dementia

Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash

Article: Chan, J. Y., Chan, T. K., Kwok, T. C., Wong, S., Lee, A. T., & Tsoi, K. K. (2020). Cognitive training interventions and depression in mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Age and Ageing.

Study Aim: To evaluate the effect of cognitive training interventions in the reduction of depression rating scale score in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Key Findings: 

• 36 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included
• 7 studies investigated computerized cognitive training, 16 studies investigated cognitive training and rehabilitation and 14 studies investigated cognitive stimulation therapy
• Results indicate that cognitive training interventions can significantly reduce depression rating scale score in people with MCI and dementia
• Computerized cognitive training and cognitive stimulation therapy are shown to be slightly superior to cognitive training and rehabilitation in the reduction of depression rating scale score

Bottom Line for OT: Cognitive training interventions may be useful for occupational therapists to use in treating depression in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate dementia, and can be used in community and long-term care settings.

#OT365