Promoting Independence with Compensatory Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Trial for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

摘要 候选人：Alyssa Lanzi博士，学术演讲语言病理学家和研究助理 特拉华大学教授。在这份K23应用程序中，兰兹博士将在她的培训和研究的基础上 研究轻度认知障碍成人保持独立性的认知康复方法 (MCI)和阿尔茨海默病(AD)的早期痴呆症。这一奖项的目的是获得新的 独立进行这些干预措施的临床试验所需的知识、技能和经验 作为未来的传播和实施。她的长期目标是建立一个富有成效的研究项目 它为患有AD和MCI的成年人开发、评估和传播认知康复干预。 职业发展计划：兰子博士建议：1)学习如何设计和进行随机 对患有MCI和AD痴呆的成年人进行行为干预的对照试验；2)在 对这一人群的认知、心理和独立生活技能进行多学科评估；3) 获得与传播和实施行为干预有关的知识和技能 康复临床医生。培训计划包括丰富的体验式学习活动，如多学科 在不同的社区环境中开展基于团队的认知评估活动。环境：兰兹博士将接受培训 NIH资助的多学科导师团队在临床试验研究、MCI和痴呆症方面具有专业知识 来自AD的数据，以及传播/实施研究。Verdolini Abbott博士(特拉华州大学)，共同的主要导师， 高级学术语言病理学家，在行为临床试验方面拥有丰富的专业知识 干预措施。科恩博士(特拉华州大学)，共同的小学导师，是一位康复导向的神经心理学家， 多学科认知评估研究纪实。罗达科夫斯基博士(匹兹堡大学)是一位 具有认知策略培训和独立生活技能的学术职业治疗师 患有MCI的成年人。史密斯博士(佛罗里达大学)，共同导师，资深神经心理学家和著名的MCI专家， AD和行为干预方法。研究：MCI和痴呆症的大多数治疗方法 阿尔茨海默病患者专注于修复认知缺陷。不幸的是，对于保存或 提高独立生活技能。拟议研究的目标1是进行试点试验，以评估 结构化外部记忆辅助治疗--一种基于补偿的方法治疗成人MCI的疗效 它通过教授使用策略来弥补认知弱点来促进独立的生活技能 (例如，笔记系统)。目标2是评估人口统计学、临床和神经心理学预测因素 治疗依从性。目标3是改进治疗程序和材料，用于未来的培训 干涉主义者。完成这些培训和研究目标对兰兹博士的职业生涯至关重要 补偿性认知的有效性和有效性研究的进展和持续成功 提高成年阿尔茨海默病患者独立性和生活质量的干预措施。

ABSTRACT CANDIDATE: Alyssa Lanzi, Ph.D. is an academic speech-language pathologist and Research Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware. In this K23 application, Dr. Lanzi will build on her training and research studying cognitive rehabilitation approaches that preserve independence in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The objective of this award is to acquire new knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to independently conduct clinical trials of these interventions, as well as future dissemination and implementation. Her long-term goal is to establish a productive research program that develops, evaluates, and disseminates cognitive rehabilitation interventions for adults with AD and MCI. CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Dr. Lanzi proposes to: 1) learn how to design and conduct randomized controlled trials of behavioral interventions for adults with MCI and dementia from AD; 2) receive training in the multidisciplinary assessment of the cognitive, psychological, and independent living skills of this population; 3) acquire knowledge and skills related to dissemination and implementation of behavioral interventions for rehabilitation clinicians. The training plan includes rich experiential learning activities such as multidisciplinary team-based cognitive assessment activities in diverse community settings. ENVIRONMENT: Dr. Lanzi will train with a multidisciplinary team of NIH-funded mentors with expertise in clinical trials research, MCI and dementia from AD, and dissemination/implementation research. Dr. Verdolini Abbott (U Delaware), co-primary mentor, is a senior academic speech-language pathologist and has extensive expertise in clinical trials of behavioral interventions. Dr. Cohen (U Delaware), co-primary mentor, is a rehabilitation-oriented neuropsychologist with a record of multi-disciplinary cognitive assessment research. Dr. Rodakowski (U Pittsburgh), co-mentor, is an academic occupational therapist with expertise in cognitive strategy training and independent living skills for adults with MCI. Dr. Smith (U Florida), co-mentor, is a senior neuropsychologist and renowned expert in MCI, AD, and behavioral intervention approaches. RESEARCH: Most treatment approaches for MCI and dementia from AD have focused on restoring cognitive weaknesses. Unfortunately, these are suboptimal for preserving or improving independent living skills. Aim 1 of the proposed research is to conduct a pilot trial to evaluate the efficacy of the Structured External Memory Aid Treatment, a compensation-based approach for adults with MCI that promotes independent living skills by teaching the use of strategies to compensate for cognitive weaknesses (e.g., note-taking systems). Aim 2 is to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological predictors of treatment adherence. Aim 3 is to refine treatment procedures and materials that will be used to train future interventionists. The completion of these training and research aims are critical for Dr. Lanzi’s career development and continued success in investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of compensatory cognitive interventions that enhance the independence and quality of life of adults with AD.