Cog-Train feasibility and acceptability trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Single-arm trial evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a preoperative cognitive training intervention (Cog-Train) in cardiac surgical patients
IRAS ID
147110
Contact name
Alain Vuylsteke
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 25 days
Research summary
Cognitive outcomes remain poor after cardiac surgery. Data from the field of cognitive neuroscience suggest that cognitive training, which harnesses the brain’s adaptive plasticity to improve, maintain, or restore function in a target area, can be used to strengthen brain resilience and improve cognitive outcomes following challenge. Members of our team, and numerous others, have demonstrated its effectiveness in older adults as well as in nonsurgical patient populations, but no training intervention like this has ever before been used in any surgical patient in the preoperative period. Here, we are proposing to carry out a 21-week study investigating the feasibility and acceptability of administerering a preoperative cognitive intervention (Cog-Train) to a sample of cardiac surgical patients at Papworth, including older patients who may have less experience with computers. We plan to obtain data necessary to design a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) and research proposal on Cog-Train’s effectiveness in improving postoperative outcomes. Carrying out this work may lead to the first ever approach targeting within-patient risk factors (i.e., brain resilience) to improve cognitive and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients after cardiac surgery.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0128
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion