Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan NSM(1), Li KL(1), Law LH(1), Hung WM(1), Chan CPS(1), Chang VSP(1), Poon DWF(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Occupational Therapy, Prince of Wales Hospital, NTEC
Keyword 1: :
Cognitive training
Keyword 2: :
Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
Introduction :
Evidence shows that it is important to engage mild NCD patients with regular cognitive training. Hence, Cognitive Activity Training Program (CATP) is designed by the Occupational Therapy Department in Prince of Wales Hospital to serve the purpose of incorporating cognitive stimulation, art and craft activities, strategy-based training and home program to offer a diversified training experience and continuity in home training.
Objectives :
The study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of CATP on mild NCD patients in an out-patient setting.
Methodology :
This quasi-experimental pre-post study was a 6-session program (75 minutes each, twice weekly). The program embodied (1) cognitive stimulation activities (2) strategy-based training tasks (3) art and craft activities and (4) home-based training. Home program was reviewed in each session. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong Version (HK-MoCA) and Colour Trail Test (CTT) were used to assess patients’ cognition. Quality of Life – Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) questionnaire was used to assess patients’ self-reported quality of life. Assessments were administered at baseline and immediately after the 6-session program. A satisfaction survey was designed to collect feedback after CATP and caregivers of patients were followed up by phone 2 months later to evaluate their home program continuity. Paired t-tests were used for parametric statistics while Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for non-parametric statistics.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 52 patients were recruited from 2023 to 2025 via convenience sampling. There is a significant improvement in HK-MoCA total score after CATP, especially in cognitive domains of Orientation, Executive Function, Naming and Language (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found in CTT and QoL-AD. 88% of the participants had expressed satisfaction with the program through survey (satisfaction level ≥ 4 out of 5) that they expressed the training activities were engaging and beneficial to their cognition. More than half of participants had continued cognitive training at home 2 months later through strategy-based and computerized modalities. In conclusion, CATP that targeted cognitive stimulation, paired with strategy-based training and home program element were beneficial to mild NCD patients both in cognition and set-up of cognitive training in home setting.
