Comparing the Efficiency of Eight-Session Versus Four-Session Memory Intervention for Older Adults

Abstract

Evidence that reduced treatment achieves similar outcomes is beneficial because shorter interventions may be more cost-effective and more acceptable to participants. We examined the effects of shortening a memory intervention for elders from eight sessions to four sessions. Shortening the intervention had little impact on either self-reported or performance measures of memory and daily living activities. Small to moderate effects were associated with positive changes in both groups. When examining cost-effectiveness, an eight-session intervention produced slightly greater gains in memory performance, but at a higher cost. Future studies should systematically vary key intervention components in more diverse samples.

Preoperative Cognitive Intervention Reduces Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients after Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In the present study our finding indicated that an early short-term cognitive training with mnemonic technique such as the MoL in the preoperative period significantly reduced the incidence of POCD in elderly patients one week after surgery. In our study, the beneficial effect of cognitive training produces modest gains on the cognitive tests were also demonstrated in Borella and Becker’s research which focus on healthy elders [ 17 , 18 ]. The total hours of the cognitive training varied widely between studies, a systematic review by Reijnders et al [ 19 ] found that cognitive training can be effective in improving various aspects of cognitive functioning and the intervention effect was not significantly related to the total hours of cognitive training, but may be related to the efficiency of the intervention we used.…”

Memory training interventions for older adults: A meta-analysis

“…The majority of memory training programs taught between two and seven different strategies. The most common combination of strategies was at least three of the following: method of loci, association, categorization, and visual imagery (Ball et al, 2002; Becker et al, 2008; Best, Hamlett, & Davis, 1992; Calero & Navarro, 2007; Calero-Garcia & Navarro-Gonzalez, 2007; McDougall et al, 2010; Scogin & Prohaska, 1992). …”

“…These strategies include face–name recognition and name–learning techniques, number mnemonics , and story mnemonics. Face–name recognition is used to remember names and faces together by integrating mnemonic devices like visual imagery, categorization, and association to link a person’s name with his or her facial characteristics (Andrewes et al, 1996; Becker, McDougall, Douglas, & Arheart, 2008; Best et al, 1992; Calero & Navarro, 2007; Calero–Garcia & Navarro–Gonzalez, 2007; Craik et al, 2007; Dunlosky et al, 2003; Fabre et al, 2002; Lachman et al, 1992; Lustig, 2008; Mohs et al, 1998; Stigsdotter et al, 1989; Woolverton et al, 2001). Number mnemonics , also referred to as the phonetic system, digit–consonant method, and the major system (Worthen & Hunt, 2011), are used to remember strings of numbers like dates, phone numbers, and addresses (Calero & Navarro, 2007; Calero–Garcia & Navarro–Gonzalez, 2007; Derwinger et al, 2005; Hill et al, 1997).…”

Effects of a Multi-Component Training Program on Healthy Older Adults' Prospective Memory Performance: Assessing Change Over Time

“…As it was mentioned, PM is a significant cognitive function in regard to older adults' everyday life. Nevertheless, the body of literature regarding PM training programs among older adults is a very limited one ( 6 ) and there is a limited number of studies focused on the effectiveness of the training programs in terms of time and energy needed for such programs ( 13 , 14 ). Likewise, there are a few studies aimed to improve PM using either strategy- or process-based approaches ( 5 , 8 , 19 ) and they showed some limitations; the primary focus of the process-based approaches were on the working memory ( 6 , 19 ) and most strategy-based training programs either aimed to maintain or improve PM performance in a clinical population or they focused on just one everyday task (e.g., health tasks) ( 5 , 7 , 8 ).…”

“…In addition, to boost the memory training effects, the training should be cost-effective, acceptable and tailored. Such program can incorporate older adults' personal differences and resources efficaciously ( 13 , 14 ). Moreover, stronger experimental designs should be developed for such studies to show accurate results ( 15 ).…”