Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau CM, Yeung HY, Chow KY, Law ST, Chang SPV
Affiliation :
Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital
Introduction :
Computerized Cognitive Training was recognized as an important intervention for patients with mental illnesses to improve cognitive and functional performance. To consolidate the cognitive rehabilitation service for adult psychiatric patients by standardizing the training modalities and protocol, CCTP was developed.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of CCTP in Occupational Therapy Department (OTD) for patients in Adult Psychiatric Day Hospital (PDH)
Methodology :
A pilot program was conducted from Jan to May 2019 with 29 participants being recruited. Pre & post assessment with convenient sampling was conducted at OTD in adult PDH of Shatin Hospital. Patients with subjective cognitive complaints or impaired cognitive functions were recruited to receive the 8-lessons CCTP. In each lesson, participants would be prescribed with 4 to 5 training apps in tablet computer and received training under supervision for 45 minutes. Assessment tools included Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA) for cognitive ability, Brief Assessment of Prospective Memory (BAPM) for functional performance and Reaction Time Test for speed of processing. Satisfaction Survey was collected after CCTP to gather subjective comments on the program effectiveness.
Result & Outcome :
29 participants completed CCTP in this pilot program. The mean age of the participants was 46. There were 55% of female and 45% of male. 55% of participants were suffered from schizophrenia and 45% were suffered from mood disorder. After attending CCTP, patients had improvement on cognitive performance with overall mean score of HK-MoCA increased by 8%. There is statistically significant difference between pre & post HK-MoCA score (t=-4.006, p=0.000). There is improvement in the reaction time and the BAPM score with overall mean score decreased 16% & 18% respectively. The statistical difference was significant for Reaction Time Test (t=2.202, p=0.036) and BAPM (t=2.723, p=0.011). Participants were highly motivated and satisfied with the program. From Satisfaction Survey, the mean score of subjective improvement on cognitive functions was 3.38/4 (SD=1.44) and the mean score of volition to continue training was 3.31/4 (SD=1.28).