title: Effects of cognitive training in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Parkinson's Disease (PD), cognitive dysfunctions which can reduce patients' quality of life occur frequently. Data on non-pharmacological intervention effects on cognitive functions in patients with PD are rare. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of different cognitive group trainings (structured vs. unstructured) on cognition, depression, and quality of life in non-demented PD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized controlled trial, 65 non-demented patients with PD according to UK Brain Bank criteria (Hoehn & Yahr I-III) were allocated to one of two cognitive multi-component treatments ("NEUROvitalis", a structured training, or the unstructured training "Mentally fit" with randomly assembled cognitive tasks, each including 12 group-sessions à 90 min over 6 weeks) or a waiting list control group (CG). A neuropsychological test battery was performed before and after the training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the CG, patients from the "NEUROvitalis" group improved in short-term memory (word list learning "Memo": p < .01) and working memory (digit span reverse from "DemTect": p < .05), whereas depression scores where reduced in the "Mentally fit" group (Beck Depression Inventory-II: p < .05). The "NEUROvitalis" group improved significantly more in working memory than the "Mentally fit" group (DemTect: p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive and affective functions can be improved by cognitive trainings in PD patients. Specific effects (e.g. on memory and working memory versus depression) seem to be dependent on the type of training. Further research is needed to define long-term effects and the efficacy in PD patients with different extent of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, Psychological Gerontology & Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), University of Vechta, Driverstr. 22, 49377 Vechta, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, Psychological Gerontology & Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), University of Vechta, Driverstr. 22, 49377 Vechta, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaesberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Barbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timmermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany; Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Gereon R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, Psychological Gerontology & Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), University of Vechta, Driverstr. 22, 49377 Vechta, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpenerstr.62, 50937, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: elke.kalbe@uni-vechta.de.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalbe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Cognitive training; Depression; Intervention; Parkinson's disease