2023 年 19 巻 1 号 p. 205-212
Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are known to revert to normal cognition, so early intervention during the MCI stage is required. MCI is reported to be associated with a reduction in frontal lobe volume, blood flow, and metabolism; dysfunction of the frontal lobes has also been reported to increase the risk of progressing to dementia. This study verifies the effects of cognitive rehabilitation targeting frontal lobe executive function in MCI.
Method: MCI patients aged over 65 were divided into a group taking part in the Frontal/Executive Program (FEP Group), and the Control Group. Ten FEP Group patients took part in the FEP, and nine Control Group patients took part in the Group Exercise Program, 22 times each. Cognitive function was evaluated with MoCA-J, BACS-J, and WCST.
Results: The FEP Group showed significant improvements over the Control Group in verbal memory, working memory, executive function, conversion of sets, and persistent wrong answers. A dramatic effect was also seen in the FEP Group before and after intervention in verbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, executive function, conversion of sets, and persistent wrong answers. These effects on verbal memory, verbal fluency, and conversion of sets were maintained for a period of three months. In addition, 60.0% of the patients in the FEP Group reverted to and maintained normal cognition for three months.
Conclusion: Improvements were seen in the target function due to cognitive rehabilitation targeting frontal lobe executive function. A high rate of reversion was also seen from MCI to normal cognition.
