Effects of Neurofeedback and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Working Memory in Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease
Keywords:
Neurofeedback, Mindfulness, Based Cognitive Therapy, Working Memory, Alzheimer’s Disease, Older AdultsAbstract
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in improving working memory among older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. This applied quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a one-month follow-up and a control group. The statistical population consisted of 400 older adults residing in Kahrizak Nursing Home in Tehran in 2021. Forty-five eligible older adults with mild Alzheimer’s disease were purposively selected and, after age matching, randomly assigned to neurofeedback, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. Working memory was assessed using the Daneman and Carpenter Working Memory Capacity Test. The neurofeedback intervention comprised ten 45-minute sessions using a ProComp2 device, whereas mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was delivered in ten 60-minute sessions based on Crane’s protocol. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons in SPSS-23. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant overall effect of the interventions on working memory (F=9.37, P=0.001, η²=0.309). Repeated-measures analysis showed that both neurofeedback and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly improved the storage (P=0.001) and processing (P=0.014) components of working memory compared with the control group. Significant time and group × time effects were also observed for working-memory components (P=0.001). Bonferroni comparisons demonstrated significant differences between both intervention groups and the control group and between pretest scores and both posttest and follow-up scores. No significant differences emerged between posttest and follow-up scores, indicating maintenance of treatment effects. Moreover, no significant difference was found between neurofeedback and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in their effectiveness for improving working memory. Neurofeedback and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appear to be effective and relatively durable non-pharmacological interventions for improving working memory in older adults with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Their comparable effectiveness suggests that both approaches may be incorporated into cognitive rehabilitation programs according to patients’ clinical conditions, accessibility, and treatment preferences.
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Copyright (c) 1404 Mahboubeh Gandomkar (Author); Mahdi Nayyeri (Corresponding author); Ali Akbar Samari (Author)
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