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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Reading and solving arithmetic problems improves cognitive functions of normal aged people: a randomized controlled
Shinya Uchida1, Ryuta Kawashima
1Department of Functional Brain Imaging, IDAC, Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryocho, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|May 9, 2009
Summary
Daily mental exercise, like reading and arithmetic, significantly improves cognitive functions in seniors. This study provides evidence for the positive transfer effect of cognitive training on non-targeted mental abilities in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The mental-exercise hypothesis suggests mental activity slows cognitive decline, but evidence is limited.
- Previous studies confirmed cognitive training benefits targeted functions.
- This study investigates the transfer effect on non-targeted cognitive functions in seniors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month cognitive intervention program involving reading and arithmetic exercises.
- To assess the transfer effect of this intervention on non-targeted cognitive functions in community-dwelling seniors.
- To provide evidence for the benefits of daily mental training in normal aging.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 124 seniors (aged 70-86).
- Participants engaged in daily reading and arithmetic problem-solving for 6 months.
- Neuropsychological assessments included mini-mental state examination (MMSE), frontal assessment battery (FAB), and digit-symbol substitution test (DST) before, after, and 6 months post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in FAB (p<0.001) and DST (p<0.01) scores post-intervention.
- These cognitive improvements were maintained at 6-month follow-up exclusively in the experimental group.
- The study demonstrated a transfer effect of cognitive intervention on non-targeted cognitive functions.
Conclusions:
- Daily mental training, specifically through reading and arithmetic, can enhance cognitive functions in healthy older adults.
- The cognitive intervention program showed a beneficial transfer effect on non-targeted cognitive abilities.
- This research offers convincing evidence supporting the positive impact of cognitive training on cognitive aging.
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