Treino de memória no idoso saudável: benefícios e mecanismos

Abstract

ResumoIntrodução: Pesquisas documentam declínio na memória ao longo do envelhecimento, entretanto, estudos apontam que o treino gera um aumento significativo no desempenho de idosos. Objetivo: Replicar resultados internacionais referentes a treino de memória com uma amostra brasileira de idosos saudáveis e investigar mecanismos, como o uso de estratégias, que possam explicar seus benefícios. Método: 69 idosos saudáveis, subdivididos em grupo experimental (GE) e grupo controle (GC), receberam quatro sessões de treino de memória (GC recebeu o treino após o pós-teste). O treino ofereceu informações sobre memória e envelhecimento, instrução e prática em organização de listas de supermercado e grifo de idéias principais em textos. Resultados: No pós-teste o GE apresentou melhor desempenho na recordação de texto e maior uso de estratégias (organização da lista e uso de grifo). Os dois grupos relataram menor número de queixas (medidas através do MAC-Q) e processamento de informações mais rápido (símbolos do WAIS-R) no pós-teste. Conclusões: Após o treino, os idosos fazem uso mais intenso de estratégias de memória, mas este fato não garante melhor desempenho (não houve aumento na memorização da lista). Os achados para a lista sugerem a presença da deficiência da utilização: os idosos usaram a estratégia, mas não se beneficiaram dela. Palvaras-chave: Memória; treino; envelhecimento; estratégias. AbstractIntroduction: Studies document a change in memory during the process of aging. However, studies report the possibility of improvement after training. Objective: To replicate international findings regarding the effects of memory training with a sample of Brazilian elders and to investigate mechanisms, such as the use of strategies, that can explain its benefits. Methods: 69 healthy Brazilian elders were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), and received four sessions of training (CG received training after pos-test). Training included information on memory and the process of aging, instruction and practice in organizing grocery lists and the underlining of main ideas in short texts. Results: There was superior improvement for prose recall and greater use of strategies (organizing lists and underlining texts) for the EG at post-test. Both groups reported fewer memory complaints (assessed with the MAC-Q) and faster information processing (WAIS-R Digit Symbols sub-test). Conclusions: After training, elders intensify the use of strategies, however, this fact does not guarantee a better performance (there was no significant improvement in list recalls). List recall results suggest the presence of the utilization deficiency: elders used the strategy but failed to benefit from it.

Impact of cognitive stimulation on depression, anxiety, cognition and functional capacity among adults and elderly participants of an open university for senior citizens

“…These exercises include word memorization (to train the memory), searching for differences between images (to train attention to detail) and the completion of puzzles (to train constructive capacity), among others. 4 In Brazil, Yassuda et al 5 sought to confirm the effects of four sessions of an episodic memory stimulation program on 69 healthy elderly individuals. The post-test results showed that the individuals in the experimental group performed better, in terms of remembering the text and using memory strategies, than those in the control group.…”

“…7 Thus, it is plausible that a decrease in depressive symptoms, as a result of participation in group training sessions, could be responsible for the improvement in performance after training. 5 It has been reported that the provision of a stimulating and collective environment can lead to social inclusion and improved cognition in several domains. This hypothesis was argued by Marioni et al, 8 who assessed engagement in social, physical and intellectual activities, as well as social support, the self-perception of how well one is understood, and the degree of satisfaction with social relationships among 2854 elderly individuals in France.…”

Efeitos de um programa de estimulação cognitiva multidisciplinar intergeracional

“…Complaints regarding memory seem to be correlated with symptoms that are associated with anxiety and depression, 32 which may have been reduced due to the benefits of social interaction, which would corroborate Wilson's results. 19 Yassuda,29 in a literature review, did not observe a reduction of the symptomology of depression, as outlined in the Geriatric Depression Scale.…”

“…The beliefs regarding memory or the notion of auto-efficacy with respect to memory are identified as an aspect of great influence when it comes to cognition. 29 Olchik 30 explains that this belief may be viewed as a social construct, since society espouses that, as individuals age, their cognitive abilities enter into decline. The individual, therefore, incorporates this discourse, resulting in lower auto-efficacy, or in other words, adopts the perception that he or she is less capable of facing challenges than during previous phases of his life.…”

“…Yassuda 29 observed that elderly participants that were subjected to cognitive stimulation made greater use of memory strategies. As a results, the elderly participants that were trained used more of the strategies that they were taught.…”