Effects of a goal-oriented rehabilitation program in mild cognitive impairment: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Memory disturbance, deficient concentration, and fatigue are symptoms seen in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as well as in mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to assess if an established rehabilitation program commonly used in TBI can aid MCI patients to develop compensatory memory strategies that can improve their cognition, occupational performance, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Fifteen patients with MCI participated in the program 2 days per week for 8 weeks. Cognitive function, occupational performance, and self-perceived QoL were assessed at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at follow-up after 6 months. RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen in cognitive processing speed, occupational performance, and in some of the QoL domains. CONCLUSION: As this goal-oriented rehabilitation program in MCI resulted in some improvements in cognition, occupational performance, and QoL, further randomized controlled studies are warranted.