A Multicomponent Cognitive Intervention May Improve Self-Reported Daily Function of Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline

Importance: Limited evidence exists to support cognitive intervention improving the daily function of adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Objective: To examine the preliminary efficacy of a group-based multicomponent cognitive intervention that integrates Lifestyle Redesign^® (LR) techniques. Design: Single-arm two-period crossover trial; 16-wk waiting period, 16-wk intervention, and 16-wk follow-up. Setting: Memory clinic in a medical center, Taiwan. Participants: Purposive sample of adults ages >55 yr with SCD. Intervention: Sixteen 1.5-hr weekly multicomponent sessions of cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, psychological intervention, and lifestyle intervention. Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were (1) self-reported daily function, measured with the Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) and Cognitive Failure Questionnaire; (2) performance-based daily function, measured with the Brief University of California San Diego Performance-Based Skills Assessment-Traditional Chinese Version; and (3) functional cognition, measured with the Contextual Memory Test (CMT) and Miami Prospective Memory Test. Secondary outcomes included cognitive functions, anxiety, and depression. Results: Seventeen participants completed the intervention; 4 missed the follow-up. The generalized estimating equations model showed significant changes from baseline to pretest (control) and pretest to posttest (intervention) on the ADLQ (p 5.014) and CMT-delayed (p 5.003). Effects remained at the 16-wk follow-up. After adjusting for the effects of covariates, the self-reported daily function of participants ages ≤ 63 yr improved more than that of other participants (p 5.003). Conclusions and Relevance: Multicomponent cognitive interventions integrating LR techniques may improve self-reported daily function and context-dependent memory function of adults with SCD, with efficacy sustained at follow-up. What This Article Adds: A group-based multicomponent cognitive intervention consisting of cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, psychoeducation, and lifestyle intervention may provide benefits for the daily function and cognitive function of adults with SCD.