An Examination of Visual Perceptual Training

This study was approved by the University of Victoria Human Research Ethics Board (Protocol Number 17-167) and all participants provided their informed written consent prior to participating in this study. In order to reduce the placebo effect, the participants were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. Participants from both the experimental and control groups received a total of three neuropsychological assessments over a three month period (i.e. baseline, 7 weeks, 11 weeks). Considering that an essential methodological component of the training studies is the use of standardized neuropsychological tests, validated and reliable measures such as STROOP TEST, DIGIT SPAN TEST, TRAIL MAKING TEST, VERBAL FLUENCY TESTS, CALIFORNIA VERBAL LEARNING TEST Second Edition (i.e., standard and alternate forms), were used at different time points. Each assessment was 50-60 minutes in duration and was administered by an expert neuropsychology resident. The first assessment was administered at baseline . Then, the experimental group underwent seven weeks of perceptual cognitive training, while the control group completed seven weeks without formal training. The treatment for the PCT group consisted of 14 sessions of training each lasting 25-30 min, twice per week for seven weeks. After the seven-week time period, a second neuropsychological assessment was performed on both groups. After eleven weeks, a follow-up assessment was conducted to verify whether the benefits of cognitive training endure over time.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 60 and over;
• Have subjective cognitive complaints;
• The results of the screening test Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) should be ≥ 24 (this test is used only at baseline visit to verify if the participant might be included in the sample or not).

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of medical diagnosis of a Major Neurocognitive Disorder (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, front temporal lobe dementia, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia),
• Presence of sensory deficits (e.g. colour blindness, monocular/binocular blindness, macular degeneration),
• Presence of psychiatric disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety),
• The participants with scores under 24 at MMSE screening test will be excluded and sent to the family doctor (i.e. to minimize the risk of including people with pre-clinical dementia).