Audiovisual N-back training in older adults: Benefits to working memory and audiovisual integration

This study aimed to investigate the effects of audiovisual N-back task training on working memory and audiovisual integration ability in older adults. Twenty healthy older adults underwent 40 sessions of audiovisual N-back training, while 18 healthy older adults served as controls. Event-related potentials (ERPs) and performance data were collected at baseline and end of the training period. The results indicated that working memory in older adults gradually improved with training. In the audiovisual 3-back task, the training enhanced the discriminability index (d') and reduced the latency of the N2 component evoked by target stimuli in older adults, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the training significantly enhanced the audiovisual integration abilities of older adults at the earlier stage of processing in 180-200 ms. This study demonstrates that audiovisual N-back training effectively improves working memory and early-stage audiovisual integration abilities in older adults. The findings highlight the potential of audiovisual N-back task training as an efficient method for enhancing cognitive and perceptual abilities in older adults and counteracting age-related brain decline.