ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) in older adults are associated with a decline in everyday functioning and an increased risk for future cognitive decline. This study examines the effect of a memory strategy training compared to a control memory training on memory functioning in daily life. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial with baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up assessments conducted in 60 older adults (50-87 years) with SMC. Participants were randomly assigned to either seven sessions of memory strategy training or seven sessions of control memory training. Both interventions were given in small groups and included psycho-education. Primary outcome measure was memory functioning in daily life. Objective measures of memory performance and self-reported measures of strategy use were included as secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Participants in each intervention group reported an improvement in personal memory goals (p<.0005), up to 6 months after training. An interaction effect showed that participants following memory strategy training reported a larger improvement in personal memory goals (p=.002). Both intervention groups improved on two memory tests (p<.001 and p<.01). In the memory strategy training group, an increase in strategy use in daily life was the strongest predictor (p<.05) of improvement in subjective memory functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with subjective memory complaints benefit from memory strategy training, especially in their memory functioning in daily life. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1110-1120).
Subject(s)
Learning , Memory Disorders/psychology , Memory Disorders/therapy , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aging/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Patient Education as Topic , Psychotherapy, Group , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Whether older adults use effective memory strategies to compensate for their memory decline partly depends on their executive functioning (EF). However, many studies have overlooked the role of cognitive reserve (CR). This study examines the effects of age, EF, and CR on memory strategy use. METHODS: A total of 83 participants (aged 18-85 years) were included. Strategy use was assessed using three measures: (1) self-reported strategy use in daily life, (2) self-reported and observed strategy use in a simulated daily life situation, and (3) self-reported strategy use during a word-pair task. RESULTS: Results showed that CR was the strongest predictor of strategy use, both in daily life and during memory tasks. Although effects of age and EF were found, most of these effects disappeared when CR was added to the model. Furthermore, a higher CR was related to the use of more complex strategies and to more effective strategies in relation to task performance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CR seem to enable individuals to use effective strategies. These results highlight the importance of the role of CR in compensating for the aging-related memory decline.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Cognitive Reserve/physiology , Executive Function/physiology , Memory/physiology , Adaptation, Physiological , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Self Report , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are common among older adults, but it is unclear to what extent adults with SMC spontaneously use memory strategies to compensate for their memory problems. As SMC may be a risk factor for memory decline later, it is important to extend our knowledge about spontaneous compensatory mechanisms in older adults with SMC. METHOD: Self-reported strategy use and observed strategy use were assessed in 38 adults with and 38 without SMC. RESULTS: Adults with SMC used more strategies in daily life than those without. In the SMC group, memory complaints were positively correlated with strategy use. Only in adults without SMC, a significant correlation was found between observed strategy use and task performance. CONCLUSION: Strategy use in older adults with SMC may be compensatory in nature, but did not increase their objective memory performance. Therefore, older adults with SMC might benefit from interventions aimed at optimizing strategy use.
Subject(s)
Memory Disorders/therapy , Memory , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Self Report , Task Performance and AnalysisABSTRACT
Whether older adults can compensate for their associative memory deficit by using memory strategies efficiently might depend on their general cognitive abilities. This study examined the moderating role of an IQ estimate on the beneficial effects of strategy instructions. A total of 142 participants (aged 18-85 years) received either intentional learning or strategy ("sentence generation") instructions during encoding of word pairs. Whereas young adults with a lower IQ benefited from strategy instructions, those with a higher IQ did not, presumably because they already use strategies spontaneously. Older adults showed the opposite effect: following strategy instructions, older adults with a higher IQ showed a strong increase in memory performance (approximately achieving the level of younger adults), whereas older adults with a lower IQ did not, suggesting that they have difficulties implementing the provided strategies. These results highlight the importance of the role of IQ in compensating for the aging-related memory decline.
