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Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 7918

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan C. Meléndez-Moral

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Guest Editor

Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: aging; dementia; mild cognitive impairment; tDCS; autobiographical memory; recognition

Dr. Encarnacion Satorres-Pons

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Guest Editor

Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: aging; dementia; mild cognitive impairment; tDCS; reminiscence therapy

Dr. Iraida Delhom-Peris

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Valencian International University, 46002 Valencia, Spain
Interests: aging; dementia; emotional intelligence; well-being; resilience

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world's population is aging, and it is estimated that the older population will increase significantly in the coming decades. Among the main changes that can be observed in aging, there is the deterioration of cognitive functions in older adults with and without associated cognitive impairment.

The main objective of this Special Issue is to analyze what these changes are and how they influence the daily life of older adults. Research that provides information about changes in episodic, semantic, or autobiographical memory, attention, conflict monitoring, studying specific older adult samples or comparing different samples can offer interesting empirical evidence of the changes in different processes. In addition, it is intended to present the advances that are being when applying non-pharmacological interventions. This type of therapy must demonstrate through rigorous methodologies the effectiveness of its results to facilitate the maintenance of the main cognitive functions.

We welcome original research papers, review articles, methodological papers, and short communications.

Dr. Juan C. Meléndez-Moral
Dr. Encarnacion Satorres-Pons
Dr. Iraida Delhom-Peris
Guest Editors

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Keywords

episodic memory
autobiographical memory
attention
reminiscence
cognitive stimulation
tDCS
mild cognitive impairment
dementia

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Stefania Balzarotti, Eleonora Pagani, Ilaria Telazzi, Martina Gnerre and Federica Biassoni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912806 - 6 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1390

Abstract

Advancing age can bring a decline in many driving-related cognitive abilities. For this reason, public safety concern has raised about older adults’ driving performance, and many countries have adopted screening polices to assess older drivers’ fitness to drive. As a result of such assessments, authorities may impose behavioral restrictions to driving. The present study examines whether driving-related cognitive abilities change over time and compares drivers either restricted or not by licensing authorities after the first assessment. The data were derived from a database provided by a service of psychodiagnostic assessment of fitness to drive. This database contained data of people referred for cognitive assessment in order to renew their driving license over the period of 2016 to 2022. The sample included 58 cognitively healthy old drivers (mean age = 82.79, SD = 6.13; 97% men) with a follow-up examination (T2) after a period ranging from one to four years (M = 1.59, SD = 0.72) since the first assessment. Cognitive assessments were conducted using the standard test battery from the Vienna Test System (VTS8; ©Schuhfried GmbH, Mödling, Austria). Decision time variability, motor time, reaction time under stress, and obtaining an overview did not show significant changes between T1 and T2, whereas selective attention and inductive reasoning significantly decreased over time in both groups. Improvements in processing speed consistent with practice effects emerged at T2. Restricted drivers (n = 41) maintained significantly worse performances than unrestricted drivers (n = 17) in the follow-up assessment. Chronological age was associated with higher reaction time under stress, while education showed a buffering role against a decrease in perceptual speed. Overall, although older drivers’ driving-related cognitive abilities remain relatively stable over the short-term, the decline in some cognitive functions deserves reevaluation and monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment)

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12 pages, 1035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of the Computerized Cognitive Assessment Test: NNCT

by Itxasne Oliva and Joan Losa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710495 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

Population aging brings with it cognitive impairment. One of the challenges of the coming years is the early and accessible detection of cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study aims to validate a neuropsychological screening test, self-administered and in software format, called NAIHA Neuro Cognitive Test (NNCT), designed for elderly people with and without cognitive impairment. This test aims to digitize cognitive assessments to add greater accessibility than classic tests, as well as to present results in real time and reduce costs. To this end, a comparison is made with tests such as MMSE, Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and CAMCOG. For this purpose, the following statistical analyses were performed: correlations, ROC curves, and three ANOVAs. The NNCT test evaluates seven cognitive areas and shows a significant and positive correlation with other tests, at total and subareas levels. Scores are established for the detection of both mild cognitive impairment and dementia, presenting optimal sensitivity and specificity. It is concluded that the NNCT test is a valid method of detection of cognitive impairment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment)

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11 pages, 476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Two-Step Cognitive and Relaxation Training Program in Care Home Residents with Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Kristina Stuerz, Sabine Hartmann, Bernhard Holzner, Carina S. Bichler, Martin Niedermeier, Martin Kopp and Verena Guenther

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148316 - 7 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1758

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of a relaxation training program (RT), a cognitive training program (CT), and the combination of both on changes in cognitive status, emotional status, and experience of pain in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Fifty care home residents underwent either RT (26 participants) or CT (24 participants) in the first training period, followed by the combined relaxation and cognitive training program in the second. Psychological tests on cognitive performance, mood disturbance/well-being, depression, and experience of pain were implemented at three time points of measurement, before (t1), after (t2) the first training period, and after the second training period (t3). Both RT and CT with the subsequent combined training program in the second training period, respectively, increased cognitive performance and well-being, and reduced mood disturbance, depression, and the experience of pain. The study showed the non-inferiority of RT in respect of cognitive and emotional status in care home residents with MCI compared to the more frequently implemented CT. Both training programs are high in acceptability and positive outcomes on cognitive, emotional, and pain status support the use of a combination of RT and CT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment)

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9 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Longitudinal Study of Episodic and Semantic Autobiographical Memory in aMCI and Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

by Juan C. Meléndez, Alfonso Pitarque, Iraida Delhom, Elena Real, Mireia Abella and Encarnación Satorres

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136849 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2114

Abstract

Background: The main objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of autobiographical memory (both episodic and semantic) in patients with mild cognitive impairment, patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and a healthy control group. We compared these groups at two time points: first, at baseline, and in a follow-up after 18 months. Method: Twenty-six healthy older adults, 17 patients with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, and 16 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, matched on age and educational level, were evaluated at both time points with the Autobiographical Memory Interview. Results: The results showed significant longitudinal deterioration in episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment and in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but not in healthy older adults. Conclusions: The deterioration of episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in AD is confirmed; however, although the episodic was impaired in aMCI, a pattern that evolved toward deterioration over a period of eighteen months was observed for the semantic autobiographical memory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment)

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Changes in Cognitive Processes and Intervention in Aging with and without Cognitive Impairment

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