A 2-year longitudinal randomized controlled trial examining the transfer of speed of processing training to secondary cognitive domains in middle-aged and older adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder: Results of the think fast study.

OBJECTIVE: As people with HIV (PWH) age, they are at-risk of developing cognitive impairments compared to their seronegative counterparts. Although speed of processing (SOP) training may help improve this cognitive ability, less work has examined transfer to other cognitive domains. This study examined the effect of SOP training has on secondary cognitive domains in PWH aged 40+ years. METHOD: In this 3-group 2-year longitudinal study, 216 PWH with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) or borderline HAND were randomized to either: (1) 10 h of SOP training (n = 70); (2) 20 h of SOP training (n = 73); or (3) 10 h of an active control training (n = 73). Participants completed a comprehensive cognitive battery at baseline, immediately after training, and at 1 and 2 years. This battery yielded global and domain specific T-scores as well as a cognitive impairment variable. Generalized linear mixed-effect models were fitted to estimate between-group mean differences at the follow-up time-points adjusted for baseline. RESULTS: No clinically or statistically significant improvements in any of the cognitive outcomes were observed. A sensitivity analysis was conducted; conclusions replicated those of the main analysis, with two exceptions: Global Function T and Psychomotor Speed T showed relevant training improvements among the intervention groups over the control group at the immediate post time point. CONCLUSIONS: Although SOP training has been shown to improve cognitive abilities that correspond to driving and mobility, such training has limited therapeutic utility in improving cognition in other domains in PWH with HAND.

Can individualized-targeted computerized cognitive training improve everyday functioning in adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder?

Half of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Fortunately, cognitive training programs can improve function across cognitive domains, which may translate to everyday functioning. The Training on Purpose (TOPS) Study was designed to reverse HAND by targeting cognitive training to specific cognitive impairments that contributed to the diagnosis. A secondary aim of TOPS was to determine whether such cognitive training improved subjective and objective everyday functioning. In this two-group pre-post experimental design study, 109 adults with HAND were randomized to either: (1) a no-contact control group (no training) or (2) the Individualized-Targeted Cognitive Training group. Each participant received approximately 10 hours of cognitive training in two selected cognitive domains based on her/his individual baseline cognitive performance. Thus, 20 hours of individualized training on these two cognitive domains occurred over a course of 12 weeks in 1-2 hour sessions. Specific to the secondary aim of TOPS, measures of everyday functioning were administered before and after cognitive training to examine transfer effects. The analyses revealed that in general, speed of processing training produced benefits in everyday functioning as measured by the medication adherence visual analogue scale and the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living test. Inconsistent findings were found for the other seven cognitive training protocols in either improving everyday functioning or reducing perceived everyday functioning; however, there may be other contributing factors that obscured such effects needing further research. This study demonstrated that some training protocols vary in efficacy in altering both objective and subjective everyday functioning ability.

Driving habits, cognition, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged and older adults with HIV.

Cognitive impairment is known to increase with aging in people living with HIV (PLWH). Impairment in cognitive domains required for safe driving may put PLWH at risk for poor driving outcomes, decreased mobility, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study described the driving behaviors of middle-aged and older PLWH and examined correlations between driving behaviors and cognitive functioning (Aim 1), and driving behaviors and HRQoL domains (Aim 2). A sample of 260 PLWH ages 40 and older completed a comprehensive assessment including a battery of cognitive tests, an HRQoL measure, and a measure of self-reported driving habits. Associations between driving habits, cognitive function, and HRQoL domains were examined. While 212 (81.54%) participants reported currently driving, only 166 (63.85%) possessed a driver's license. Several significant correlations emerged between driving habits and both cognitive and HRQoL variables, with a general pattern suggesting that current greater driving exposure was associated with better cognitive functioning and HRQoL. Given consistent associations that emerged between the social functioning HRQoL domain and several driving habits, multivariable regression was conducted to examine the unique association between an index of greater driving exposure (i.e., days driven per week) and social functioning, adjusting for potential confounders (race, income, education, depression, and global cognition). Results showed that more days driven per week was a significant, independent correlate of higher social functioning. Understanding the factors underlying driving behaviors in PLWH may contribute to interventions to promote better mobility and improved access to care.

Two-year clinical trial examining the effects of speed of processing training on everyday functioning in adults with human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) and borderline HAND in the U.S. Deep South: Findings of the Think Fast Study.

Many people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) experience cognitive decline that impairs everyday functioning. Cognitive training approaches, such as speed of processing (SOP) training, may reduce the impact of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) on everyday functioning. In this experimental design study called the Think Fast Study, 216 participants age 40 and older with HAND or borderline HAND were randomized to one of three groups: (1) 10 h of SOP training (n = 70); (2) 20 h of SOP training (n = 73); or (3) 10 h of Internet Navigation Control Training (a contact control group; n = 73). Participants completed several everyday functioning measures at baseline, posttest, and year 1 and year 2 follow ups, which included: (a) Modified Lawton and Brody Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Questionnaire; (b) Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) Test; (c) Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning (PAOFI); (d) Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ); and (e) Medication Adherence Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Linear mixed-effect models and generalized estimating equation models were fitted to estimate between group differences at all follow-up time points. At follow-up timepoints, those in the 10-h and 20-h training groups had better scores on medication adherence measures (MAQ and VAS) than those in the control group, with effects (Cohen's d) ranging 0.13-0.41 for MAQ and 0.02-0.43 for VAS. In conclusion, SOP training improved some indicators of everyday functioning, specifically medication adherence; however, the therapeutic effects diminished over time. Implications for practice and research are posited.

A Randomized Clinical Trial on the Impact of Individually Targeted Computerized Cognitive Training on Quality of Life Indicators in Adults With HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder in the Southeastern United States.

ABSTRACT: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is experienced by 30% to 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH), potentially affecting their quality of life (QoL). In the Training on Purpose Study, we investigated whether targeted cognitive training can improve QoL in PLWH with HAND. Using a two-group experimental design, we randomized 109 adults with HAND to either (a) the Individualized-Targeted Cognitive Training group or (b) a no-contact control group. Those in the training group were assigned 10 hr of cognitive training per two selected cognitive domains (20 hr total) for which impairment was observed. Overall, two patterns emerged. First, significant improvements in measures of everyday cognitive complaints, depression, and mental health were consistently observed after the completion of many cognitive training protocols. Second, immediate and delayed spatial learning and memory training resulted in more significant indicators of QoL improvements compared with the other cognitive domain trainings. The findings suggest that some types of cognitive training may have advantages over others in improving aspects of QoL.

Improving Population Health Among Uninsured Patients with Diabetes.

Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality; prevalence of diabetes is especially high in the southeastern United States among minority populations and those from lower socioeconomic sectors without access to health care services. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the clinical and financial outcomes of a nurse-led, interprofessional collaborative practice model that provides care coordination and transitional care for uninsured patients with diabetes. Data for this study were collected and evaluated from medical records of patients seen at the Providing Access to Health Care (PATH) Clinic between August 1, 2015, through May 30, 2017. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by comparing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values before and after referral to the PATH Clinic. Cost savings to the academic medical center were evaluated by comparing costs associated with inpatient or emergency department encounters before and after referral to the PATH Clinic. A significant decrease in HbA1c (P < .0005) was noted for patients attending the PATH Clinic. In addition, financial analyses revealed a 55% decrease in pre to post PATH Clinic patients' direct costs. Similarly, a 42% decrease in the pre to post PATH Clinic patients' direct cost per encounter was noted. Average length of stay also was reduced when these patients were readmitted to the academic medical center. Results from this study support the effectiveness of the PATH Clinic model in caring for uninsured patients with clinically complex medical and social needs, often with behavioral health problems, who incur high health care spending and are often readmitted.