title: Randomized controlled trial of a healthy brain ageing cognitive training program: effects on memory, mood, and sleep.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the rise in the ageing population and absence of a cure for dementia, cost-effective prevention strategies for those 'at risk' of dementia including those with depression and/or mild cognitive impairment are urgently required.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the efficacy of a multifaceted Healthy Brain Ageing Cognitive Training (HBA-CT) program for older adults 'at risk' of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a single-blinded design, 64 participants (mean age = 66.5 years, SD = 8.6) were randomized to an immediate treatment (HBA-CT) or treatment-as-usual control arm. The HBA-CT intervention was conducted twice-weekly for seven weeks and comprised group-based psychoeducation about cognitive strategies and modifiable lifestyle factors pertaining to healthy brain ageing, and computerized cognitive training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison to the treatment-as-usual control arm, the HBA-CT program was associated with improvements in verbal memory (p = 0.03), self-reported memory (p = 0.03), mood (p = 0.01), and sleep (p = 0.01). While the improvements in memory (p = 0.03) and sleep (p = 0.02) remained after controlling for improvements in mood, only a trend in verbal memory improvement was apparent after controlling for sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HBA-CT program improves cognitive, mood, and sleep functions in older adults 'at risk' of dementia, and therefore offers promise as a secondary prevention strategy.
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Keri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Loren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mowszowski
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cockayne
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norrie
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paradise
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hermens
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon J G
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hickie
authors.affiliation: Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Naismith
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003704:Dementia / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014706:Verbal Learning
keywords: Depression; memory; mild cognitive impairment; neuropsychology; sleep disorders