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

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2021 · $178,497

## Abstract

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 completio...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10104613
- **Project number:** 1K23AG070185-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Alyssa Marie Lanzi
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $178,497
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-02-15 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10104613

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10104613, Promoting Independence with Compensatory Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Trial for Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease (1K23AG070185-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10104613. Licensed CC0.

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