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Study
questions effectiveness of $80 million per
year 'brain exercise' products industry
Researchers call for further study to assist
elderly in making informed decisions
A new study from Lifespan evaluated the
research to date on the impact of cognitive
training on the healthy elderly population.
Their review of all relevant randomized,
controlled trials shows no evidence that
structured cognitive interventions or "brain
exercise" programs delay or slow progression
of cognitive changes in healthy elderly.
Such programs are now an $80 million per
year industry. The study appeared in
Alzheimer's & Dementia.
There is much research on the benefits of
cognitive rehabilitation strategies among
elderly who already experience mild
cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's
disease, as well as on the positive impact
of physical exercise.
The researchers, however, wanted to evaluate
current research that would focus on the
impact of cognitive interventions in the
healthy elderly population.
With this in mind, they established three
objectives for their study: to
systematically review the available
literature on cognitive training and the
healthy elderly, to assess and compare the
efficacy of different cognitive
interventions and to provide recommendations
for future research.
According to senior author Peter J. Snyder,
PhD, vice president of research for
Lifespan, and a professor of clinical
neurosciences (neurology) at the Warren
Alpert Medical School of Brown University,
the researchers determined that the last
meta-analysis performed on studies of
healthy elderly and memory training was
published in 1992.
Since then, the definition of cognitive
training has expanded and media attention
has sparked an increase in public awareness
with more and more Americans trying to
curtail the effects of aging.
As a result, Americans are now expected to
spend $80 million this year on brain
exercise products, compared to $2 million in
2005.
Through a systematic review of literature
using established techniques to analyze
randomized controlled trials of cognitive
interventions in the healthy elderly, the
researchers found a very small number of
studies that met their criteria.
What studies did meet their criteria they
found to be limited in their methodologies
or were often lacking in follow-up.
Based on this quantitative literature
review, called a meta-analysis, they
concluded that there was no evidence
indicating that structured cognitive
intervention programs had an impact on the
progression of dementia in the healthy
elderly population.
Snyder says, "The brain aging products sold
today can be a financial drain, decrease
participation in more proven effective
lifestyle interventions, like exercise, and
potentially undermine cognitive health by
frustrating the "worried well" if poorly
designed."
The researchers note that some products have
actually been marketed as weapons in the
fight against Alzheimer's disease.
Snyder and the researchers conclude,
"Evidence-based information regarding
cognitive intervention in healthy elderly
needs to be gathered and presented clearly
to both the scientific community and our
vulnerable elderly population.
More random clinical trials in cognitive
training need to be conducted with
sufficient follow-up time that can actually
measure changes in daily functioning.
Only in that way will we know if such
exercises are effective in slowing the
progress of MCI."
He also notes, "We believe it is vital for
clinical researchers to communicate the
state and progress of research in a clear
and unbiased manner to keep the public
informed and assist in their decision making
about preventive lifestyle interventions."
###
Other researchers involved in the project
include one of Snyder's doctoral students,
Ms. Kathryn Papp, of the department of
psychology, and Dr. Stephen Walsh of the
center for biostatistics, both at the
University of Connecticut.
Lifespan, a not-for-profit organization, is
Rhode Island's largest health care system.
Formed in 1994, it includes Rhode Island
Hospital and its Hasbro Children's Hospital;
The Miriam Hospital; Bradley Hospital and
Newport Hospital. Lifespan (www.lifespan.org
) is the state's largest
private employer, with more than 11,000
employees, and is affiliated with The Warren
Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Lifespan hospitals are among the top
recipients of research funding from the
National Institutes of Health, receiving
more than $66 million combined in fiscal
2007.
All Lifespan-affiliated hospitals are
charitable organizations that depend on
support from the community to provide
programs and services.
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