Memory training for adults with probable mild cognitive impairment: a pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by subjective cognitive changes and episodic memory impairment without dementia.
• A pilot study investigated interventions for individuals meeting MCI criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 24-month efficacy of memory training versus health training in probable mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
• To assess the impact on objective memory, subjective memory complaints, and memory self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• 39 participants with probable MCI were randomized into memory training (n=19) or health training (n=20) groups.
• Intervention involved 20 hours of classroom content with booster sessions; analyses used hierarchical linear models (HLM) and standardized regression-based (SBR).
• Covariates included age, education, depression, race, ethnicity, MMSE score, and baseline performance.

Main Results:

• The memory training group demonstrated superior objective and subjective memory outcomes compared to the health training group over 24 months.
• Participants in the memory training condition showed sustained benefits in both subjective and objective memory function.

Conclusions:

• Senior WISE Memory training is effective in forestalling cognitive decline in individuals with probable MCI.
• The intervention sustains benefits for subjective and objective memory function over a two-year period.