Everyday memory and metacognitive intervention: a randomized controlled trial

This study evaluated whether the Everyday Memory and Metacognitive Intervention (EMMI) improved everyday memory functioning and subjective memory among older adults. The EMMI uses a metacognitive approach to link awareness of situational cognitive demands to the selection and use of strategies to bypass cognitive constraints and to successfully achieve everyday goals. The randomized controlled trial randomly assigned participants to the EMMI group or an active control group trained in mnemonic strategies for word list memorization. We used an event-based ecological momentary assessment smartphone application to assess self-reported everyday memory failures during everyday life. We also evaluated group differences in pretest to posttest change on objective and subjective measures of memory. An intent-to-treat analysis of the 78 persons randomly assigned to conditions revealed no difference in measures assessed prior to the intervention. The final sample consisted of 30 EMMI participants (M_age = 75.83, SD = 4.68) and 32 control group participants (M_age = 74.94, SD = 4.38). There were no differences between the groups on everyday memory failures and prospective memory. Both groups showed significant increases in aspects of subjective memory ability from pretest to posttest, with the EMMI group producing greater improvements in memory self-efficacy. The control group differentially improved in associative memory after memory-strategy training. Although EMMI did not show the predicted everyday memory improvements, it still has potential to improve people's everyday functioning by way of improving subjective experiences. Post-pandemic enhancements to the intervention could lead to demonstrable everyday memory successes.