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Six-Year Training Improves Everyday Memory in Healthy Older People. Randomized Controlled Trial
Carmen Requena1, Agustín Turrero2, Tomás Ortiz3
1Department of Psychology, Universidad de León León, Spain.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|July 5, 2016
Summary
Intensive memory training for older adults is less effective long-term. A continuous, 6-year program significantly improved everyday memory and mental status, unlike shorter, intensive interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traditional memory training programs for older adults often yield short-lived results.
- Intensive, short-term interventions may not effectively combat age-related memory decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a time-extended, massive memory intervention format for older adults.
- To determine if continuous training can preserve everyday memory and mental status long-term.
Main Methods:
- 1007 healthy older adults were randomized into a 6-year extended training group or an 11-week intensive training group.
- Cognitive and emotional content was delivered, with assessments using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
- Evaluations occurred at baseline, after 32 sessions, and after 6 years.
Main Results:
- The time-extended group showed significantly better short-term and long-term improvements in everyday memory (RBMT) and mental status (MMSE).
- Continuous training led to sustained gains, whereas intensive program effects decayed over time.
- Significant increases in mental level scores were observed, with preserved daily functioning.
Conclusions:
- Continuous, time-extended memory training can preserve everyday memory in older adults long-term.
- Massive and time-extended intervention formats represent a potential paradigm shift for memory enhancement programs in healthy aging.
- This approach may offer a more effective strategy for maintaining cognitive function in later life.
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