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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
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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
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[Working memory training in normal and pathological aging: neurocognitive gains and generalization].
Marine Saba1, Sophie Blanchet2
1Université de Paris, MC2Lab, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Service de gériatrie aiguë, Hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
Summary
Working memory training shows benefits for older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment. These cognitive enhancements are supported by brain changes and may improve daily functioning.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Neurorehabilitation
Background:
- Working memory is highly sensitive to aging and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- Working memory deficits in MCI can predict Alzheimer's disease progression.
- Impaired working memory impacts daily activities and autonomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review working memory training programs for older adults.
- To evaluate the cognitive and neuronal effects of these training programs.
- To assess the transferability of training gains to daily life.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on working memory training interventions.
- Analysis of studies reporting cognitive outcomes (near/far transfer).
- Examination of neuroimaging evidence for training-induced brain changes.
Main Results:
- Working memory training yields specific cognitive benefits in healthy older adults, MCI patients, and dementia patients.
- Training-induced improvements are associated with observable neuronal modifications.
- Evidence suggests potential for generalization of cognitive gains to real-world situations.
Conclusions:
- Working memory training is a promising intervention for cognitive aging and MCI.
- Neuronal plasticity underlies the observed cognitive improvements.
- Further research is needed to confirm the ecological validity of training gains.
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