P2–323: Structural brain changes after robot‐assisted cognitive training in the elderly: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Previous studies showed that cognitive training in the elderly improves their cognitive function. Most studies on cognitive training, however, used cognitive tests as an outcome measure without any MRI to measure the structural changes that may be more valid in evaluating effects of cognitive training. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of our newly developed cognitive training using robots as well as conventional cognitive training programs on the brain structures in the elderly A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 85 volunteers aged 60 years or older without significant cognitive impairment. Participants were randomized into three groups: 24 with robot intervention, 24 with conventional intervention and 37 without cognitive training. The interventions consisted of five 90-min-sessions per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the changes in cortical thickness and structural network topology. Topographical cortical thickness changes with group-by-time interaction showed that both intervention groups, compared to the control group, showed attenuated cortical thinning in the frontotemporal association cortices, the effect of which was stronger in the robot group compared to the conventional group. The graph theoretical analysis of structural network also revealed increased nodal strength in the rectus gyrus in the robot group compared to the control and the conventional group.