The effects of 7-week cognitive training in patients with vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia (the Cog-VACCINE study): A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION

Evidence for the efficacy of cognitive training in patients with subcortical vascular cognitive impairment no dementia is still lacking.

METHODS

A randomized, active controlled design using multidomain, adaptive, computerized cognitive training for 30 minutes, 5 days/week for 7 weeks. Assessments included global cognitive function and executive function (primary outcomes) and brain functional connectivity and structural changes (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

Sixty patients were randomized across three medical centers in Beijing. At the end of the intervention, the cognitive training group showed significant improvement in Montreal Cognitive Assessment relative to the active control group (P = .013) and significantly increased functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, which was significantly correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment change (P = .017).

DISCUSSION: Computerized cognitive training significantly improved global cognitive function, which was supported by the improved brain plasticity. Incorporation of biomarkers should be implemented in cognitive training trials.