A number of memory-strategy training interventions have been developed to target and reduce the impact of normal age-related memory decline. Most outcome studies to date have used objective memory measures to evaluate the efficacy of such interventions. Participant-reported outcomes, well-suited to capture the extent to which such interventions address the expressed concerns of aging persons, have been less closely examined. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether memory-strategy training interventions improve participant-reported outcomes in healthy older adults with age-related memory changes. Of 536 identified articles, a total of 18 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for the review, and 15 of these provided relevant data to include in the meta-analyses. A systematic risk of bias assessment identified common problems with recruitment and masking procedures. Results from the meta-analyses indicate that memory interventions produce positive effects on several participant-reported outcomes, including improvements in perceived memory ability, memory self-efficacy, strategy use, memory-related affect, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Memory-strategy training interventions have a meaningful perceived impact on healthy older adults experiencing age-related memory changes. Future research utilizing stronger study designs (e.g., masking participants and study staff) and more closely investigating everyday functional impact is needed.

RÉSUMÉLa perte auditive représente une problématique répandue chez la population âgée. Cela peut poser des défis pour les neuropsychologues, étant donné que les méthodes d’intervention doivent être présentées oralement et donc entendues avec précision. Dans cette étude, le statut auditif de 20 clients (âge moyen= 71 ans) a été évalué au sein d’une clinique de neuropsychologie en milieu hospitalier et l’impact de cette évaluation sur la pratique des neuropsychologues a été étudié. Un assistant de recherche a administré un bref test de dépistage des troubles auditifs à chacun des clients. Nous avons demandé à quatre neuropsychologues de commenter le statut auditif de leurs clients avant et après leur avoir présenté les résultats des tests de dépistage. Le dépistage a révélé que la majorité des clients présentait au moins une perte auditive légère et que les neuropsychologues étaient relativement précis (60 %) dans leur estimation du statut auditif de leurs clients. Enfin, les neuropsychologues ont utilisé l’information sur le statut auditif de leurs clients en vue de les diriger vers des services en audiologie, ainsi que pour renseigner les clients et les familles sur la perte auditive et la communication.

Online interventions for older adults should be tailored to their unique needs to increase the efficacy of and adherence to the intervention. The agile development cycle is a dynamic model to solicit and incorporate feedback from older adults during the design process. We combined this approach with the framework of Harvard University’s clinical and translational phases that provide a clear structure for evaluating new health programs before they are offered in the community. We based our online memory program on the empirically validated in-person Memory and Aging Program. The aim of the present study was to combine the agile development cycle with the clinical and translational phases framework to develop and pilot an online memory program tailored to the unique needs of older adults. Study 1 involved piloting individual program modules on site and integrating participant feedback into the program’s design to optimize usability. Study 2 involved two sequential pilots of the program accessed remotely to evaluate preliminary clinical outcomes and obtain feedback for iterative modifications. Plans for further validation and limitations are discussed. The successful application of the agile development cycle implemented in this series of studies can be adapted by others seeking to offer online content for targeted end users.