2009 Grants - Choi

Motivational Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Jimmy Choi, Psy.D.
Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. at New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York

2009 New Investigator Research Grant

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition that can precede conditions associated with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Currently, optimal treatment of persons with MCI calls for a combination of cognitive training therapies and pharmacologic therapies. However, when the MCI represents an early form of dementia, affected individuals may have difficulty complying with cognitive therapies because these conditions can be associated with denial, lack of motivation or depression.

Jimmy Choi, Psy.D. and colleagues have been studying ways to improve motivation as part of cognitive therapy. They have performed a preliminary study comparing standard therapy with or without the addition of a motivational component. Their preliminary results showed promising results for the combination of cognitive therapy and motivational training, known as Cognitive Vitality Training.

Dr. Choi and colleagues have proposed to conduct a thorough and rigorous study of Cognitive Vitality Training and its potential benefits in 75 individuals with MCI and 25 normal individuals. They plan to follow the progress of training for at least six months, and up to one year in half of the participants. This study may validate a potentially valuable new tool for slowing cognitive decline in persons with MCI.