Long-term maintenance of the emotional benefits of cognitive stimulation in early-stage cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND: To assess the long-term (12-month) effects of computerized cognitive stimulation versus stimulating leisure activities in adults with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A 12-month follow-up of a single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in primary care centres in Zaragoza, Spain, including 50 adults aged = 50 years with SCI or MCI. Participants were allocated to one of three groups: the computerized cognitive stimulation group (IG1, n=18), the stimulating leisure activities group (IG2, n=16), or a control group (CG, n=16). The primary outcome was global cognitive function; secondary outcomes included memory, verbal fluency, activities of daily living, and mood. Effect sizes were calculated using bootstrapped partial eta-squared (?2p) Results. At 12 months, significant between-group differences were observed in depressive symptoms according to the GDS-15 score (p = 0.005, ?2p = 0.209) and anxiety levels measured by the Goldberg Index score (p < 0.001, ?2p = 0.295). Both intervention groups (IG1 and IG2) showed sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, while anxiety levels remained stable in the intervention groups and worsened in the CG. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in computerized cognitive stimulation or stimulating leisure activities associates with sustained, long-term improvements in depressive symptoms and levels of anxiety, supporting the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in primary healthcare.