Efficacy potential of Goal Management Training to improve cognitive function in older people living with HIV

Nancy E Mayo; Brian Levine; Marie-Josée Brouillette; Delphine Bélanger; Lesley K Fellows

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101023

Efficacy potential of Goal Management Training to improve cognitive function in older people living with HIV

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022 Oct 28:30:101023. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101023. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Nancy E Mayo¹, Brian Levine², Marie-Josée Brouillette³, Delphine Bélanger⁴, Lesley K Fellows^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Division of Geriatrics, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, MUHC-RI. Royal Victoria Hospital Site, Ross Pavilion R4.29, 687 Pine Ave W, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada.
² Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest and Professor of Psychology and Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Canada.
³ Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, MUHC-RI, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Canadian HIV Trials Network, Canada.
⁴ Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Canada.
⁵ Dept of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University St, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
⁶ Canadian Institutes of Health Research Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Abstract

Goal Management Training® (GMT) teaches strategies to reduce cognitive load and improve focus in everyday tasks. The aim of this study was to ascertain feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy potential of GMT for people (≥50 years) with stable HIV infection scoring low on tests of cognitive ability. A two-sample, parallel, controlled trial was carried out. Feasibility was demonstrated, as 21/30 participants in the GMT group attended ≥8 of the 9 sessions and completed at least half of the homework. There was no change on the primary performance-based cognitive outcomes in the GMT group or in the control group (n = 23). There was a meaningful improvement in self-reported cognition in those adherent to the intervention. GMT is a promising intervention for people aging with HIV who are dealing with cognitive difficulties affecting their everyday life and should be further investigated.

Keywords: Cognition; Goal management training; HIV; Rehabilitation.