Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Working Memory and Sustained Attention in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Keywords:
Mild cognitive impairment, cognitive rehabilitation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, working memory, sustained attentionAbstract
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation and mindfulness-based stress reduction on working memory and sustained attention in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. A semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, control group, and three-month follow-up was used. Forty-five participants with mild cognitive impairment were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group. The cognitive rehabilitation program and the mindfulness-based stress reduction protocol were administered in ten sessions. Standardized instruments measured working memory and sustained attention, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA. Both interventions significantly improved working memory and sustained attention. Cognitive rehabilitation produced stronger effects than mindfulness-based stress reduction, and its outcomes remained more stable during follow-up. Overall, cognitive rehabilitation yielded the highest improvements across both cognitive indices. Both therapeutic approaches can enhance cognitive functioning in individuals with mild cognitive impairment; however, cognitive rehabilitation demonstrates superior and more enduring effects. It can therefore be considered a more effective strategy for improving working memory and sustained attention in this population.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hamideh Vazirkhanlo (Author); Marjan Alizadeh (Corresponding author); Mojgan Sepahmansour (Author)
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