Changing everyday memory behaviour in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is distinct from dementia by the level of daily functional independence.
• Interventions targeting memory behavior in MCI may preserve daily function and delay dependency.
• Modifying established behaviors, even memory-related ones, presents a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, group-based intervention in modifying everyday memory behaviors among individuals with amnestic MCI.
• To determine if the intervention improves memory strategy knowledge, usage, and beliefs.
• To evaluate the maintenance of any observed changes at a three-month follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 54 participants diagnosed with amnestic MCI.
• Participants were allocated to either an intervention group or a waitlist-control group.
• The intervention included evidence-based memory training and lifestyle education focused on optimizing memory behavior.

Main Results:

• Treatment participants demonstrated significant increases in memory-strategy knowledge and use from pre-test to post-test, with gains maintained at three months.
• No significant group differences were observed in memory beliefs or objective memory performance on laboratory tests.
• Increased memory-strategy knowledge and use correlated positively with the degree of program participation.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with MCI can successfully acquire, retain, and implement knowledge of memory strategies into their daily lives.
• This practical application of memory strategies may be a key factor in maintaining functional independence for individuals with MCI.
• Future research should further investigate the long-term impact of these strategies on functional independence.