Improving Patient Memory for Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Improving Memory for Treatment for Patients Experiencing Mild Cognitive Impairment: Are Constructive or Non-constructive Memory Supports More Helpful?

The main empirical question to be addressed is: What types of memory support are most potent for patients who are experiencing a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) relative to non-MCI patients?

People experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may benefit from adding memory support to treatment-as-usual. Adding memory support may be an innovative way to improve patient memory for treatment, adherence to treatment and outcome.

The key question is: What types of memory support are most potent for MCI patients relative to non-MCI patients?

The aim of the proposed research is to assess patient memory for treatment and the impact of adding memory support for people who are and are not experiencing MCI. The investigators will also compare the effectiveness of constructive vs. non-constructive memory supports for people who are experiencing MCI compared to people who are not experiencing MCI.

Hypotheses:

1. Recall of the content of treatment will be lower in the MCI group relative to the non-MCI group.
2. Constructive memory support will be more effective for the non-MCI group relative to the MCI group.
3. Non-constructive memory support will be more effective for the MCI group relative to the non-MCI group.

The outcomes are: (1) patient memory for the content of treatment session and (2) the number and accuracy of thoughts and applications of the therapy points delivered. The investigators will also collect ratings of the acceptability of the treatment and the memory supports that are delivered.

This dataset will also be used to better understand the sleep and circadian challenges that people with and without MCI report via the SCID for sleep disorders and the PROMIS scales.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants 60 years and older will be recruited.
2. Fluent in English.
3. Experiencing some difficulties relating to sleep and circadian functioning and (d) a score of 19-25 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (for the MCI group) and score 26-30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (for the non-MCI group) (e) Have a computer to use and an internet connection and (f) be able to attend sessions weekly and on the same day each week.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Presence of an active and progressive mental or physical illness or neurological degenerative disease;
2. Night shift work >2 nights per week in the past 3 months;
3. Not able and willing to participate in and/or complete the assessments and participate in the treatment.