Training-Induced Improvement of Response Selection and Error Detection in Aging Assessed by Task Switching: Effects of Cognitive, Physical, and Relaxation Training

Abstract

Cognitive control functions decline with increasing age. The present study examines if different types of group-based and trainer-guided training effectively enhance performance of older adults in a task switching task, and how this expected enhancement is reflected in changes of cognitive functions, as measured in electrophysiological brain activity (event-related potentials). One hundred forty-one healthy participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to one of four groups: physical training (combined aerobic and strength training), cognitive training (paper–pencil and computer-aided), relaxation and wellness (social control group), and a control group that did not receive any intervention. Training sessions took place twice a week for 90 min for a period of 4 months. The results showed a greater improvement of performance for attendants of the cognitive training group compared to the other groups. This improvement was evident in a reduction of mixing costs in accuracy and intraindividual variability of speed, indexing improved maintenance of multiple task sets in working memory, and an enhanced coherence of neuronal processing. These findings were supported by event-related brain potentials which showed higher amplitudes in a number of potentials associated with response selection (N2), allocation of cognitive resources (P3b), and error detection (Ne). Taken together, our findings suggest neurocognitive plasticity of aging brains which can be stimulated by broad and multilayered cognitive training and assessed in detail by electrophysiological methods.

A Randomized Controlled ERP Study on the Effects of Multi-Domain Cognitive Training and Task Difficulty on Task Switching Performance in Older Adults

“…This result pattern corroborates and extends previous research on multi-domain cognitive training which could show beneficial transfer effects to executive functions in younger, middle-aged and older adults (e.g., Gajewski and Falkenstein, 2012; Baniqued et al, 2015; Gajewski et al, 2017). In keeping with these studies, training-related performance gains became manifest in increased response accuracy.…”

Neural plasticity underlying visual perceptual learning in aging

“…This study adds to the growing evidence that aging brains are capable of training-related neuroplasticity; while there are many studies that demonstrate effects of training on aging cognition there are only a few studies that have elucidated underlying neural modulations with training (Erickson et al, 2007, Dahlin et al, 2008, Berry et al, 2010, Engvig et al, 2012, Gajewski and Falkenstein, 2012, Anguera et al, 2013, Anderson et al, 2013, Mishra et al, 2013). Neuroplasticity in these studies is evidenced in varied brain regions, ranging from sharpening of subcortical processing (Anderson et al, 2013), modulations in sensory processing (Berry et al, 2010; Mishra et al, 2013), striatal activations (Dahlin et al, 2008) and frontal cortex based changes (Erickson et al, 2007, Engvig et al, 2012, Gajewski and Falkenstein, 2012, Anguera et al, 2013).…”

“…Neuroplasticity in these studies is evidenced in varied brain regions, ranging from sharpening of subcortical processing (Anderson et al, 2013), modulations in sensory processing (Berry et al, 2010; Mishra et al, 2013), striatal activations (Dahlin et al, 2008) and frontal cortex based changes (Erickson et al, 2007, Engvig et al, 2012, Gajewski and Falkenstein, 2012, Anguera et al, 2013). Of these, studies that have incorporated EEG recordings show training-related temporal modulations early in stimulus processing, i.e.…”

“…Of these, studies that have incorporated EEG recordings show training-related temporal modulations early in stimulus processing, i.e. 0–250 ms post-stimulus onset (Berry et al, 2010, Mishra et al, 2013), as well as at mid-latency time ranges of 250–500 ms that invoke frontal and parietal plasticity (Gajewski and Falkenstein, 2012, Anguera et al, 2013). Thus, there is no specific constraint on neuroplasticity in aging either with respect to the timing of the responses or involved brain regions.…”

Adaptive Training Diminishes Distractibility in Aging across Species

“…Reinforcement-driven operant conditioning forms the basis of most of these training approaches and has been shown to engender behavioral improvements as well as remediative neural changes (Berry et al, 2010; Engvig et al, 2012; Gajewski et al, 2012; Anguera et al, 2013). However, despite efforts this training approach has not translated to reduced distractibility in older adults (Berry et al, 2010; Buitenweg et al, 2013) or in any other population that exhibits similar suppression deficits (e.g., children: Stevens et al, 2008).…”