Preoperative Cognitive Reserve in Older Surgical Patients: A Feasibility Study

Investigation of a Novel Quantitative Measure of Preoperative Cognitive Reserve in Older Surgical Patients: A Feasibility Study

Investigators will evaluate feasibility of using a custom 6-game Lumosity brain exercise experience in busy clinical areas to obtain a quick, quantitative measure of cognitive reserve (first gameplay performance [FGP]) in older patients presenting for major surgery. Participants in this feasibility trial will serve as a pilot population to estimate postoperative delirium incidence in patients willing and able to complete the brief, self-directed, brain exercise experience on a portable electronic device in various preoperative encounters, and will provide insight into which preoperative encounter (outpatient clinic or morning of surgery preoperative holding) may be more conducive to brief preoperative cognitive evaluations and interventions in future studies. First gameplay performance obtained during study procedures will be compared based upon postoperative delirium status (positive verse negative) to evaluate predictive value of the custom 6-game battery. This will guide future studies of FGP as a quick, quantitative measure of cognitive reserve in older surgical patients, with potentially more utility in preoperative patients than other assessments of cognitive function.

Potential study participants will be identified by researchers monitoring The Ohio State University Preoperative Assessment Clinic (OPAC) and operating room (OR) schedules. Eligible patients will be contacted over-the-phone regarding willingness to participate. Surgeons will be made aware when their patients have been approached over the phone and updated accordingly if the patient agrees to be enrolled in the study. If willing, patients will be met at either their preoperative assessment at OPAC or their day of surgery at Preoperative Holding. Patients will be screened at this encounter for inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Following the initial screening encounter, patients will be required to provide informed consent prior to any study activities or data collection. Once informed consent is signed by both the subject and researcher, the researcher will provide the patient with a portable electronic device (laptop) with access to Lumosity brain exercise software (Lumos Labs, San Francisco, California, USA) and instruct participants to complete as many of the provided 6 games as possible. These 6 games were identified specifically from preliminary data indicating their postoperative delirium predictive capacity. Gameplay completion and performance scores will be coded and stored on the Lumosity software. Personal health information will not be used on the research device.

At this visit, the researcher will also collect demographic information (age, sex, body max index (BMI), ethnicity, and educational level) and relevant comorbidities via the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The research device will be collected at the end of the patient's visit at OPAC or just prior to surgery when in preoperative holding.

All patients will undergo surgery as planned. Time under anesthesia and type of surgery will be collected. On the first day following surgery, patients will be assessed by research members for the presence of delirium using the 3-Minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM) at 0800 ± 2 hours and 1700 ± 2 hours. This will be repeated every postoperative day until postoperative day 7 or discharge, whichever comes first. Additionally, medical notes from the day of surgery to discharge or post-operative day (POD) 7 (whichever comes first) will be assessed for delirium by a researcher using a validated medical chart-based delirium assessment (CHART-DEL). Patients will be asked to complete the Discharge Survey Prior to hospital discharge or over the phone after discharge. In addition, their length of stay in the hospital and discharge location will be collected.

Inclusion Criteria

1. 60 years of age or older
2. Capable and willing to consent
3. Non-cardiac/non-neurological surgery with an expected hospital stay of at least 72 hours
4. Anticipated ASA physical status I-IV
5. English speaking
6. Willingness to use computer-based device

Exclusion Criteria

1. Severe visual or auditory deficits
2. Illiterate
3. Surgery or procedure within the previous 6 months requiring general anesthesia
4. Active Axis I or II psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, alcohol, or drug abuse
5. ASA physical status V, VI
6. Planned postoperative ICU admission
7. Preoperative benzodiazepine administration (i.e. Midazolam, Diazepam)