Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41029506›Full record

Trial reportBMC neurology2025

The effect of working memory training on patient and informant reported executive function in mild cognitive impairment: an interventional study.

Per R Nordnes, Trine Holt Edwin, Marianne M Flak, Gro Christine Christensen Løhaugen, Jon Skranes, Linda Chang, Haakon R Hol, Ingun Ulstein, Susanne S Hernes

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT01991405 (Memory Aid - Computer Based Working Memory Training in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT01991405 naunknown statusnot on this map

Memory Aid - Computer Based Working Memory Training in Elderly With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

TypeinterventionalSponsorSorlandet Hospital HFRan2013 to 2016Enrolled90ConditionsMild Cognitive ImpairmentArmsComputerized Working Memory Training.
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Per R NordnesDepartment of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Sørlandet Sykehus HF, Postboks 416, Kristiansand, Lundsiden, 4604, Norway. Per.Raymond.Nordnes@sshf.no.
Trine Holt EdwinDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Marianne M FlakClinic for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment, Telemark Hospital Trust, Telemark County, Skien, Norway.
Gro Christine Christensen LøhaugenDepartment of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital HF, Arendal, Norway.
Jon SkranesDepartment of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital HF, Arendal, Norway.
Linda ChangDepartments of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, and Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Haakon R HolDepartment of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Sørlandet Sykehus HF, Postboks 416, Kristiansand, Lundsiden, 4604, Norway.
Ingun UlsteinDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Susanne S HernesDepartment of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Sørlandet Sykehus HF, Postboks 416, Kristiansand, Lundsiden, 4604, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSelf-reported outcome measures are rarely described in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this study, we investigated the effect of computerized working memory training on self- and relatives reported executive function measures.

methodsA total of 50 individuals with MCI were recruited from five memory clinics in Southern Norway and underwent a 5-week/20-25 sessions computerized working memory training program. Both individuals and relatives scored the "Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Adults" (BRIEF-A) before, and at least four months after finalizing training. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and mixed ANOVA with rater type (participant/informant) and time (baseline/4-months).

resultsMixed ANOVA revealed significant (adjusted p ≤ 0.025) participant-informant x time interactions for Working Memory, Metacognition Index and Global Executive Composite, suggesting that the changes in ratings over time differed between participants and informants. Post hoc tests revealed that at baseline participants rated themselves as significantly more impaired (adjusted p ≤ 0.036) than informants on the Working Memory scale, the Metacognitive Index and the Global Executive Composite. After training, no significant differences were found between participant and informant reports. After training participants reported significant improvements on Working Memory (adjusted p = 0.038), Metacognition Index (adjusted p = 0.038), with working memory improving from above the established clinically significant impairment threshold to the normal range. The change in Global Executive Composite was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons (adjusted p = 0.057). No significant changes were found for relatives' reported scores between the two time points. Excluding participants developing dementia during the study enhanced the difference in mean values before and after the intervention for these outcomes.

conclusionComputerized working memory training significantly improved self-reported executive function in individuals with MCI. While informant reports remained stable, the prior significant discrepancy between self- and informant ratings converged after training due to this improvement. These findings suggest that training can enhance subjective cognitive experience and awareness, offering potential clinical benefits for individuals with MCI. Our study highlights self-report measures as valuable and sensitive outcomes in MCI interventions, capturing the personal experiences of cognitive change.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01991405. Registered on 18.11.2013.

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionExecutive FunctionMemory, Short-TermAgedAged, 80 and overCognitive TrainingFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsSelf ReportTreatment OutcomeBRIEF-AComputerized Cognitive trainingMild cognitive impairmentPatient-reported outcome

Identifiers

PMID41029506
PMCPMC12487203

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.