Effect of a structured course involving goal management training in older adults: A randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a structured 6-week neuropsychological course on the executive functioning of older adults with cognitive complaints.


METHODS
A randomised controlled design was used involving 69 community dwelling individuals aged 55 years and older. Both objective and subjective measures were included to assess executive functioning. General linear model with repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the intervention effects.


RESULTS
After the intervention, the participants in the intervention group were significantly less annoyed by their cognitive failures, were better able to manage their executive failures and reported less anxiety symptoms than those in the waiting list control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that a combination of psycho-education and training has the potential to change the attitude of older individuals towards their cognitive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Because this training focussed on cognitive functions that are among the first to decline in older adults and the subjective evaluation of the people after training was quite favourable, the proposed intervention may be considered a valuable contribution to cognitive interventions for older adults.
van Hooren
Susan A H
SA
European Graduate School of Neuroscience (Euron), Maastricht University, The Netherlands. susan.vanhooren@ou.nl
Valentijn
Susanne A M
SA
Bosma
Hans
H
Ponds
Rudolf W H M
RW
van Boxtel
Martin P J
MP
Levine
Brian
B
Robertson
Ian
I
Jolles
Jelle
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009484:Neuropsychology / Q000193:education; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011340:Problem Solving; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*