A comparison of adjusted spaced retrieval versus a uniform expanded retrieval schedule for learning a name–face association in older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of two memory training schedules, adjusted spaced retrieval and uniform expanded retrieval, for learning a name-face association in 12 older adults with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nine training sessions were administered on alternate days for three weeks. Results yielded a positive effect of adjusted spaced retrieval on the proportion of correct recall trials and greater success in transferring the learned information to the live target, compared to the uniform expanded retrieval schedule. These data suggest that the spacing effect may underlie the memorial benefit of spaced retrieval. Implications for practical uses of spaced retrieval are considered.

The effects of modified spaced-retrieval training on learning and retention of face–name associations by individuals with dementia

“…The finding that the participants learned associations in an SRT programme is consistent with previous studies in which SRT has been used with individuals with dementia (Hawley et al, 2008;see Hopper et al, 2005 for a review) and provides further evidence that individuals with moderate dementia severity can learn and re-learn semantic information under specific treatment conditions. In fact, based on the results of the current study, learning of previously known associations under SRT was not influenced by degree of cognitive impairment.…”

“…In the current study, we did not select within session variables as primary indicators of learning. In studies of SRT in which within-session variables have been examined as primary indicators of learning (Camp et al, 1996;Cherry, Simmons & Camp, 1999;Cherry & Simmons-D'Gerolamo, 1999;Clare et al, 2002;Hawley et al, 2008;Kinsella et al, 2007;McKitrick et al, 1992), investigators used a fixed number of treatment sessions, ranging from one to nine. We selected number of sessions to learn as the primary outcome measure for two reasons.…”

“…As previously mentioned, several researchers have focused on SPACED-RETRIEVAL TRAINING IN DEMENTIA 83 the length and spacing of intervals used in training, yet little attention has been paid to activities conducted during recall intervals. In fact, investigators either do not report on activities conducted during recall intervals (Cherry & Simmons-D'Gerolamo, 2005) or they use interval filler tasks that are unrelated to the learning targets, such as general conversation or games (Bourgeois et al, 2003;Hawley et al, 2008). We hypothesised that filling the SRT recall intervals with task-related activities would promote learning of the target association because the strength of association between concepts in semantic memory depends on how often they are activated (McClelland, McNaughton, & O'Reilly, 1995).…”

“…Hochalter, Bakke, Holub, and Ovemier (2004) reported that adjusted SRT was superior to uniform retrieval training for teaching names of medication to participants with dementia. More recently, Hawley, Cherry, Boudreaux, and Jackson (2008) compared adjusted SRT to uniform expanded retrieval training for teaching face -name associations to 12 individuals with AD. They found that participants in the adjusted SRT group (n ¼ 6) had a significantly higher proportion of correct responses during learning trials and were significantly more likely to have the learned association transfer to a live person than individuals in the uniform expanded retrieval group.…”

Non-pharmacological intervention for memory decline

“…In this form, the intervals were adjusted according to the patient's performance. Several studies have demonstrated that adjusted SRT is efficacious in individuals with probable AD and leads to an improvement in associative memory (Hawley and Cherry, 2004;Cherry and Simmons-D'Gerolamo, 2005;Hopper et al, 2005Hopper et al, , 2010Hawley et al, 2008;Cherry et al, 2010).…”