Effect Of 6-Weeks Integrated Attention Training Program (Iatp) On Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Anxiety Symptoms: Preliminary Findings

Background: Anxiety symptoms are common in older people and has been implicated with specific cognitive domains, including processing speed, attention shifting, and episodic memory. Older adults with anxiety symptoms are also associated with greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Integrated Attention Training Program (IATP) is designed to train attentional control involving the coordination of complex behaviors. The study aims to determine if a 6-week IATP will improve cognitive function in the high-risk group.

Methods: 30 individuals aged 60 years or above with anxiety symptoms participated in a 6-week single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing IATP with health education in preservation of cognitive function. Both groups attend two 45-minute training per week for 6 weeks. Primary outcomes include attention, executive function, episodic memory, anxiety symptoms, and everyday functioning. Assessments take place at baseline (T0) and immediately after intervention (T1).

Results: All the analyses are based on Intention-to-treat principle. Linear mixed effects models showed significant interactions between group and time effect in CNPI anxiety score (p<0.02), sleep quality (p<.018), HK-MoCA score (p<.037), and alerting effect of the attention network (p<.047) from baseline to immediately after intervention.

Conclusion: Anxious older adults in the intervention group have significantly improved in anxiety level, sleep, global cognition, and attention when compared to the control group. IATP is able to offer beneficial effect on cognitive and mental health to anxious older adults. The results can have implications for the design of sustainable and low-cost health services for older people with anxiety at risk of cognitive decline.