Speed-Based Cognitive Training Lowers Alzheimer’s, Dementia Risk

More emphasis has been put on alternatives to medication, and some exercises may lower the risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Among those gaining more recognition are speed-based cognitive training. Games that demand quick visual processing and reaction time offer a highly engaging activity that can be incorporated into an individual’s routine in order to reduce dementia risk. Most of these types of exercises are delivered via computer-based training sessions, during which participants are challenged to complete a variety of tasks as fast as possible.

Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) Project

The ACTIVE study links the first randomized controlled trial of fall prevention for adults with vitamin D deficiency and physical disability to Medicare claims data. This study provides a unique vantage point for translating clinical trial results to practice and assessing real world outcomes over 20 years.

Why It Matters

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are among the most common serious health conditions faced by older adults. Even small delays in the onset of ADRD or in its rate of progression can translate into large differences in lifetime disease costs and caregiving needs for millions of Americans. A number of potential approaches have been identified to reduce the risk of ADRD, but few have been rigorously evaluated and none have been shown to be scalable for widespread dissemination into clinical and community practice.

Training styles shape learning, affecting how fast you learn, how well you retain what you learn, and how you approach problems.

The new follow-up data from the ACTIVE study shows that the cognitive training effects can last up to 10 years. ACTIVE delivered training in three types of intervention, each designed to improve one of three skills (attention, memory, processing speed). Training in each skill was delivered in group format.