title: Feasibility and efficacy of cognitive telerehabilitation in early Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This pilot study compared the effects of lexical-semantic stimulation through telecommunication technology (LSS-tele) with in-person LSS (LSS-direct) and unstructured cognitive treatment (UCS) in patients with early Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients with Alzheimer's disease in the very early stage (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] >26/30) were divided into three groups: seven patients received LSS-tele treatment, ten received standard LSS-direct intervention, and ten participants underwent UCS as control condition. Intervention treatments consisted of two weekly sessions of LSS (through teleconference or face to face depending on group assignment) or UCS exercises administered to small groups throughout a 3-month period. The main outcome measures were changes of global cognitive performance, language abilities, and memory function. Secondary outcome measures were changes in attention, working memory, executive functions, and visual-spatial abilities tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean MMSE score improved significantly in LSS-tele and LSS-direct treatments; LSS-tele improved language abilities, both phonemic and semantic, and stabilized delayed verbal episodic memory with respect to an improved performance after the LSS-direct intervention and to a memory decline observed in the control group. Improvement was not achieved in any neuropsychological test score after UCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical application of telecommunication technology to cognitive rehabilitation of elderly patients with neurodegenerative cognitive impairment is feasible and may improve global cognitive performance. Technical aspects to ameliorate efficacy of delivery may further improve its impact on domain-specific cognitive abilities.
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Nela
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jelcic
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meneghello
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences: Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bussè
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences: Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences: Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galano
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tonin
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.affiliation: Foundation IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Laboratory of Kinematics and Robotics and Laboratory of Psychology, Neurorehabilitation Department, Venice, Italy ; Department of Neurosciences: Sciences NPSRR, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Annachiara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cagnin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cognitive rehabilitation; telecommunication; telemedicine