[Memory strategies of elderly: training efficacy]

Does memory strategy training improve the quantity and quality of reported strategy use of normal older adults (N = 111, mean age 63 years, range 46-85 years) in daily life? Three strategy training conditions, remembering names (N = 26), intentions (N = 20) and verbal information (N = 20) and an educational training (N = 23) were compared to a test-retest control group (N = 22). Strategy use was assessed with a Strategy Frequency Questionnaire (investigating the reported frequency of strategy use on five scales: encoding, retrieval, general, external and no strategies) and a Memory Situations Questionnaire (investigating the preference of strategies in specific situations). Three months after training, the frequency of strategy use as assessed by the scale scores had not increased more in the strategy training conditions than in the control condition. No demographic or psychological characteristics were identified that could predict which individuals were most likely to change their strategy use. When strategies were analyzed separately, only after names training a specific effect was demonstrated, indicating that subjects more frequently used the strategy for remembering names (association) at follow-up. With regard to changes in the strategies used in specific situations, subjects in the names and intention training conditions reported an increase in the use of the trained strategies on names and prospective situations respectively. Moreover, there was some evidence of a generalization of training to strategies that were not directly dealt with during training. The control group showed that repeated practice with memory tests may result in changes in strategy use in specific situations, which are not always for the better, how-ever.