On-line Cognitive Training for Parkinson's Disease

On-line Cognitive Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease: a Randomized Single-blind Study Using Wearing Sensors Technology

Application of online cognitive training in patients affected by Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The treatment consists of a 6-week on-line cognitive training preceded and followed by neurological, neuropsychological and motor assessment.

At the recruitment, participants will undergo a neurological visit, a neuropsychology assessment (2 tests for each considered cognitive domain: memory, attention, visuospatial, executive function, language) and a motor assessment with wearing sensors under supervised conditions. In the treatment arm only, patients will have the Neuronation application installed on their personal technology device (smartphone or tablet) and are asked to complete 4 training session three times a week. Each session is composed of 5 exercises from one out of 4 cognitive domains: Memory, Attention, Speed and Reasoning. The training is tailor made, the complexity of the exercises is adjusted online, based on the patient's performance. Participants are re-assessed at the end of the 6-week cognitive training (T1) to find out its effects on cognition and motor ability. The same assessment is administered also after 1 (T2) and 3 (T3) months from the end of the cognitive training to test long-term effects.

The study is a 3-arms single-blind parallel study. The patients are not blind to treatment , the investigators who will perform the baseline and follow-up assessment will be blinded to the treatment performed.

The cognitive, motor and wearing sensors assessment will be performed by investigators blind to the treatment performed

6-week online personalized cognitive training using Neuronation platform 4 training session three times a week. Each session is composed of 5 exercises from one out of 4 cognitive domains: Memory, Attention, Speed and Reasoning

online application not created with a cognitive training purpose, for the same amount of time and frequence as the experimental group

Inclusion Criteria: Ease of use of at home internet connection Active presence of a caregiver to help with the use of the App Sufficient physical ability to use a technological device Signature of informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Presence of systemic pathologies potentially responsible for cognitive deficits Presence of pathologies of the Central Nervous system potentially associated with cognitive deficits No access to internet connection Cognitive rehabilitation within the previous 6 months Major depression (assessed by Beck Depression Inventory at baseline)