A Feasibility Study of a Group-Format, Ecologically Oriented Neurorehabilitation of Memory (EON-Mem) Program in Older Adults

Abstract

Older adults often show declines in memory performance relative to younger adults. One potential path for helping older adults with memory is compensatory memory training programs. Ecologically Oriented Neurorehabilitation of Memory (EON-Mem) is a method for teaching memory strategies that may generalize for use in everyday contexts. We performed a feasibility study to determine the value of pursuing a group-based version of EON-Mem with older adults in a future randomized controlled trial. The current feasibility study took place with two separate samples: healthy young adults (n=39) and older adults (n=26). We collected data on recruitment, treatment adherence, memory improvement, drop-out rate, cost, time spent, and participant-report data on barriers to successful implementation of EON-Mem treatment. Participants first performed a baseline assessment (e.g., memory, cognition, and emotional functioning), followed by weekly treatment sessions for seven weeks. We prematurely ended older adult group treatment sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants performed a post-intervention assessment using alternate versions when available. Attendance rates were low for the young adult sample (51% completed the treatment) and as expected for the older adult sample when accounting for COVID-related changes (77% eligible for completer status prior to cancelling sessions). Only 20% of each sample reliably improved on the RBANS delayed memory index. Costs were higher than expected. Costs were $345 and 18.6 research hours for each young adult participant, $319 and 16.9 research hours for each older adult participant. Although a randomized controlled trial of group-format EON-Mem in older adults is feasible, such a study may not be cost-effective.