Effects of ImproveCog Cognitive Stimulation Program on Cognitive Functions in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic illnesses, especially in the elderly, and is accompanied by cognitive defects, in addition to physical symptoms. This study was designed to identify the effectiveness of ImproveCog model as a cognitive stimulation program to processing speed, visuospatial working memory, and cognitive failures in older adults with COPD.  

In a randomized clinical trial, 24 elderly patients with COPD (62.5% men; mean age= 70.62) were assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received ImproveCog cognitive stimulation intervention in 12 ninety-minute sessions (one session per week), whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. Research tools included cognitive failures questionnaire, symbol digit modality test, and Corsi block-tapping task at the beginning and end of the intervention.  

The results showed that ImproveCog cognitive stimulation intervention significantly enhanced information processing speed (F = 5.16, P = 0.41) and visuospatial working memory (F = 6.23, P = 0.27) among elderly patients with COPD. Furthermore, this intervention was effective in alleviating memory problems (F = 5.13, P = 0.047) and distractibility (F = 5.92, P = 0.035). However, it did not show a significant impact on name forgetting (F = 4.06, P = 0.071) or blunders (F = 4.51, P = 0.06). 

Based on the results of this study, ImproveCog cognitive stimulation could be considered as an effective and beneficial method for improving cognitive functions in elderly patients with COPD.