Cognitive Strategy Training in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes

Abstract

People with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may undergo decreased daily function self-efficacy and quality of life Cognitive strategy training (CST) helps to develop strategies to manage functional problems caused by cognitive decline This study explored (1) the feasibility of CST for community-dwelling older adults with SCD; (2) the effectiveness of CST on daily function self-efficacy motivation for change and quality of life for SCD; (3) the daily goals and corresponding cognitive strategies in people with SCD This was a quasi-experimental study We recruited 44 community-dwelling people with SCD over 55 years old Twenty-two in the experimental group received the CST Twenty-two in the control group participated in cognitive group games The intervention consisted of eight one-hour weekly sessions The primary outcome was daily function measured by Canadian Occupational Peformance Measure Secondary outcomes were self-efficacy motivation for change and quality of life Within and between group differences were analyzed by paired sample t-test and two-way ANOVA Both groups had high recruitment rates (71%) The CST group had a 100% retention rates 86% attendance rates and improved significantly in daily function (p=0 001) self-efficacy (p=0 013) motivation for change (p=0 001) and quality of life (p=0 001) Between-group differences showed that the CST group improved significantly in motivation for change (p=0 036) These findings support the feasibility of using CST in community-dwelling older adults with SCD and benefits in terms of daily function and subjective outcomes

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Ling-Hui Chang (Supervisor)