Feasibility Study of Preoperative Cognitive Training in Cardiac Surgical Patients

The Cog-Train Feasibility Study: a Single-arm Trial Investigating the Feasibility of a Preoperative Cognitive Training Intervention (Cog-Train) in Cardiac Surgical Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of administering a 20-day preoperative cognitive training intervention (Cog-Train) to a widely inclusive sample of cardiac surgical patients.

Cognitive outcomes remain poor after cardiac surgery. Data from the field of cognitive neuroscience suggests that cognitive training, which harnesses the brain's adaptive plasticity to improve, maintain, or restore function in a target area, can be used to strengthen brain resilience and improve cognitive outcomes following challenge. While its effectiveness has been demonstrated in older adults as well as in other (nonsurgical) patient populations, no training intervention like this has ever before been used in any surgical patient in the preoperative period. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of administering a 20-day cognitive training intervention (Cog-Train) to a widely inclusive sample of cardiac surgical patients before their surgery. Data obtained will be used to design a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) on Cog-Train's effectiveness in improving postoperative cognitive outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Papworth Hospital
• Aged 60+ years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgery scheduled for sooner than 21 days
• 'Off-pump' surgery being considered
• Inability to obtain informed consent
• Sensory or motor impairments impeding use of task
• Communication barriers impeding administration of study procedures
• Inability to demonstrate understanding of task and/or study procedures
• Inability to make time commitment