Predictors of Long-Term Improvement in Subjective Everyday Memory Following a Memory Group Program for Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine predictors of improvement in subjective everyday memory ability 5 years following participation in a group cognitive-behavioral memory intervention for community-living older adults, the La Trobe and Caulfield Hospital (LaTCH) Memory Group program. Method: Participants were 61 healthy older adults and data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), hierarchical regression, and moderator analyses. Results: Although the group as a whole did not show significant gains in subjective memory ability following the intervention, greater gains in subjective memory ability were associated with poorer baseline associative memory, better baseline cognitive flexibility, and more subjective memory concerns prior to intervention. There was no interaction between the cognitive predictors and subjective memory concerns in predicting gains in subjective memory ability. Discussion: Differential benefits for more cognitively flexible individuals may derive from a greater capacity to engage skillfully in the expectancy modification aspects of the program.

The influence of subjective cognitive decline on prospective memory over 5 years.

“…Importantly, attrition did not differ between those with high and low levels of SCD, and thus it is unlikely to impact the observed interaction of declining habitual PM for people with SCD, compared with relative stability in people without SCD. Overall, the level of attrition within the current study was in line with studies of a similar nature, where retention rates at 5 years are often reported at 50% (Matthews et al, 2020). Therefore, the sample size can be considered adequate within this follow-up study.…”

Test–Retest Reliability and Random Measurement Error of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire in Older Adults With Subjective Memory Complaints

“…Subjective memory complaints (SMC) reflect an individual’s dissatisfaction with his or her memory function, which is common in community-dwelling older adults ( Matthews et al, 2020 ; Mitchell et al, 2014 ). SMC appears to be associated with poor outcomes, including reduced social participation, increased emotional symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety), and low quality of life ( Mogle et al, 2017 ; Montejo et al, 2011 ).…”