A Framework for Cognitive Interventions Targeting Everyday Memory Performance and Memory Self-efficacy

Abstract

The human brain has the potential for self-renewal through adult neurogenesis, which is the birth of new neurons. Neural plasticity implies that the nervous system can change and grow. This understanding has created new possibilities for cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation. However, as individuals age, they have decreased confidence, or memory self-efficacy, which is directly related to their everyday memory performance. In this article, a developmental account of studies about memory self-efficacy and nonpharmacologic cognitive intervention models is presented and a cognitive intervention model, called the cognitive behavioral model of everyday memory, is proposed.

Effects of a Memory and Visual-Motor Integration Program for Older Adults Based on Self-Efficacy Theory

“…On the contrary, people with low selfefficacy rapidly abandon desirable behavior if they find it bothersome or if they fail to achieve quickly [10]. It is difficult to lead older adults toward desirable behaviors because they have low memory self-confidence [7]. Therefore, the specific self-efficacy strategies in this program can be used to increase the memory self-efficacy of older adults, especially for those with low selfefficacy.…”

“…However, memory skills continuously decrease with age [6], leading older adults to lose self-confidence in their memory [7], which can finally lead to depression and may affect their quality of life [8].…”

Effects of a comprehensive educational group intervention in older women with cognitive complaints: A randomized controlled trial

“…It is stated that future intervention studies should find a way to increase awareness and knowledge, decrease negative beliefs, and decrease negative memory-related affect (Floyd & Scogin, 1997;Hohaus, 2007;Rebok, et al, 2007;Verhaeghen, et al, 1992). This may be achieved by 80 developing interventions with a strong educational focus that promote a more realistic understanding of cognitive aging and relevant contextual factors (e.g., health, lifestyle, beliefs, metacognition), counteract stereotypes and provide compensatory techniques (Floyd & Scogin, 1997;Hess, 2005;Hohaus, 2007;Lachman, 1991;McDougall, 2009). There are several studies that investigate the effects of such multi-dimensional intervention approaches.…”

“…In order to investigate 360 whether the effects remain over a considerable amount of time, further research is needed. It has been argued that in the course of time other aspects of subjective cognitive functioning, objective cognitive functioning and/or psychological wellbeing are likely to change secondary to changes in metacognition or subjective cognitive functioning (McDougall, 2009;. Previous studies suggested that 365 future intervention studies in healthy older adults with cognitive complaints should focus on decreasing negative beliefs and reducing negative memory-related affect.…”

A New Comprehensive Educational Group Program for Older Adults with Cognitive Complaints: Background, Content, and Process Evaluation

“…Many have their roots in the informationprocessing framework of cognitive aging, which states that normal age-related changes in memory are linked to changes in other cognitive domains or structures (Zacks, Hasher, & Li, 2000), like cognitive slowing (Salthouse, 1996) or problems in inhibitory functions (Craik & Bialystok, 2006;. The 'use it or lose it' hypothesis (Salthouse, 2006), for example, is a popular model for such interventions (McDougall, 2009). These interventions assume that older adults have the cognitive plasticity to benefit from cognitive training.…”