Page 166 - HA Convention 2015

Parallel Sessions

PS3.3 Allied Health II – Technology Advancement and Innovation 13:15 Theatre 2

“Be-SMART” Computer-assisted Training Programme for Elderly Patients with Memory Decline:
Randomised Control Trial
Lee GYY
Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong

Tuesday, 19 May Introduction

Randomised control trial (RCT) study showed that computer training would delay the cognitive decline of subjects of mild
cognitive impairment and dementia (Galante, Venturini & Fiaccadori, 2007); and improve cognition after training of 20 to 25
minutes/day, five days/week for six months (Miller, et al., 2013).

A single blinded RCT computer-assisted errorless learning-based training for 75 Chinese subjects of early Alzheimer’s
disease showed that significant improvement was found in Chinese Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (p=0.001) especially in the
memory performance at post-test evaluation in intervention group (Lee, Yip, Yu & Man, 2014).

Method

30 “BE-SMART” computer-assisted training sessions with basic and advanced level were arranged for the elderly. Android
pad/touch screen tablet computers were used for 60 psychogeriatric patients in Occupational Therapy (OT) Department
in Kwai Chung Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, as well as for 120 older adults living in the community with cognitive
decline; with collaboration with Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU).
This study compared the training outcomes of “Be-SMART” computer-assisted training programme with the control group
that was using conventional treatment as usual. A RCT design was adopted in the study. The study period would be from 1
September 2014 to 30 June 2015.

The “BE-SMART” memory training programme was structured based on cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity theories that
the brain’s neuroplasticity reserve can be enriched through cognitive experience through training (Bell et al, 2008; Berlucchi,
2011; Velligan, Kern & Gold, 2006). The programme is incorporated with techniques of errorless learning, spaced retrieval
and vanishing cues (Clare & Jones, 2008; Kanaan, McDowd, Colgrove, Burns, Gajewski & Pohl, 2014; Lee & Man, 2008). The
training programme is consisted of 30 training sessions (15 basic sessions and 15 advanced sessions) with each of them
lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Using daily life scenario, the programme is developed by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
and occupational therapists of Hospital Authority and non-governmental organisation.

Validated Chinese assessment scale was used in pre-and-post tests and three months follow-up evaluation was conducted:
Montreal Cognitive Assessment – Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA), FULD Object Memory Evaluation, Cantonese version on
Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory.

Results

Repeated measure of analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used for statistical analysis. Initial positive treatment results were
found in the intervention group of elderly persons with memory decline.

HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2015

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