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. 2025 Mar 25:11:20552076251324015.
doi: 10.1177/20552076251324015. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

Feasibility and acceptability of a remote computerized cognitive training employing telehealth in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints

Marion Ferrandez Y Montesinos  1   2   3 , Rachid Guerchouche  1   2 , Justine Lemaire  1   4 , Esther Brill  5 , Stefan Klöppel  5 , François Bremond  1   6 , Fabio Solari  7 , Philippe Robert  1   2 , Guillaume Sacco  1   4   8 , Valeria Manera  1   2
Affiliations

Feasibility and acceptability of a remote computerized cognitive training employing telehealth in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints

Marion Ferrandez Y Montesinos et al. Digit Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Computerized cognitive training (CCT) represents promising solutions for remote training of cognitive abilities in older people with cognitive decline. In the present article, we tested the feasibility and acceptability of a CCT performed at home via a telehealth platform, with participants connected remotely to a clinician, in comparison to an in-person CCT.

Methods: Thirty participants took part in the study. Twelve participants opted for classical in-person training and met a neuropsychologist twice a week for 12 weeks, for a total of 24 30-minute sessions. Eighteen participants opted for the remote home-based training and met with the clinician virtually via a telehealth system at the same frequency and duration. The intervention consisted of a serious-game platform training memory, spatial abilities, and executive functions. All participants underwent a neuropsychological and clinical assessment before and after the training.

Results: Results showed a high adherence to training and a strong acceptability in both the remote and the in-person groups. A significant improvement in mental flexibility and planning abilities was observed in both groups (as measured by the Zoo planning test), but no other neuropsychological tests showed improvement.

Discussion: This non-randomized study suggests the feasibility and acceptability of the telehealth CCT intervention. When participants are able to select their preferred intervention modality, training adherence and efficacy are comparable between remote and in-person delivery. Future studies should be performed to verify which are the most effective intervention parameters, such as training frequency and duration.

Keywords: Computerized cognitive training; remote training; serious games; subjective cognitive decline; telehealth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) diagram showing the flow of participants through each stage of the study.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Results of the acceptability questionnaire for the in-person and the remote groups. The items concerning experienced discomfort, the need for help, negative emotions, and fatigue were reversed, to compute a meaningful average acceptability score.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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