Memory training in normal and demented elderly populations: The e-i-e-i-o model

Abstract

An heuristic classification scheme for memory interventions is described as a 2 x 2 matrix. One dimension of the matrix addresses the use of internal versus external mnemonics, and the other dimension addresses the use of explicit (effortful/conscious) versus implicit (automatic/unconscious) learning. Most attempts at memory interventions in normal older populations, such as the use of mental imagery, fall within the explicit-internal cell of the matrix and require expenditure of large amounts of cognitive effort. As a result, memory interventions in normal older populations, even when "successful," usually produce results that are limited in their generalization and are usually not maintained over time. Such interventions are rarely attempted in demented populations. Interventions are described that require less effort and are representative of other cells in the classification matrix. These may be more effective for demented and normal elders. Information acquired through these alternative means may eventually be stored internally and become consciously available, often producing an "O!" or "aha" experience when the individual realizes a shift to internal, consciously available storage has taken place.

Non-pharmacological intervention for memory decline

“…Dunn and Clare (2007) conducted a study comparing the effects of four different learning techniques (vanishing cues, forward cues, target selection, and paired associate learning) on the acquisition of name-face associations among patients in the earlystage of AD, patients with vascular dementia and patients with mixed dementia. Overall, these findings showed that each learning method was effective and provided further evidence that learning is possible in AD and vascular dementia patients, which had been shown in previous studies (Camp et al, 1993;Bird and Kinsella, 1996). In addition, several other studies have investigated the usefulness of errorless learning for memory training in AD, which demonstrated improvements in memory for associations and compared the efficacy of different errorless learning methods (Clare and Wilson, 2004;Metzler-Baddeley and Snowden, 2005;Haslam et al, 2010;Laffan et al, 2010;Thom and Clare, 2011).…”

“…This principle has proven successful over a range of tasks, including learning word lists (Hunkin et al, 1998a), person and object names Parkin et al, 1998;Evans et al, 2000), word processing skills (Hunkin et al, 1998a), semantic concepts (McKenna and Gerhand, 2002), word pair associations (Squires et al, 1997), and electronic diary programming . The general principles of errorless learning incorporate specific techniques for vanishing cues and spaced retrieval (Landauer and Bjork, 1978;Glisky et al, 1986;Glisky, 1992;Camp et al, 1993Camp et al, , 1996. In general, the method of vanishing cues involves the gradual addition and then reduction of cues across learning trials, whereas the spaced retrieval method requires the recall of the target item after short but gradually increased intervals.…”

Promoting transfer in memory training for older adults

“…Training gains occurred in the trained task, but no gains occurred in the transfer tasks. Thus, although Stigsdotter Neely and Bäckman's [5] goal was to assess maintenance of training gains, their method and findings provide an excellent illustration of the lack of transfer that is often found with memory training [5,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Construction of a Speed Feedback Therapy System to Improve Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People with Dementia: A Preliminary Report

“…That appears to be why there were no more than 4 dropouts among the 23 subjects for reasons other than deterioration in health status. Camp et al [14] reported that task learning ability persists in persons who have lost psycholinguistic ability and are unable to express themselves. Adam [15] reported that because procedural memory is retained by elderly people with dementia, exercise with equipment provides them with clues that are easy to understand.…”