Declarative Memory and Motor Learning in the Older Adult

Abstract

The degree to which declarative memory influences the ability to learn a functional motor task is relevant to clinicians working with older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between performance on a memory assessment tool and performance of a novel motor task following a single session of directed practice. Thirty community-dwelling older adults (11 males and 19 females) were tested for declarative memory function using the Wechsler Memory Scale III. Subjects were instructed in a specific procedure for using a walker to transfer into the passenger side of an automobile, and scored on their ability to perform that same task 48 hours after instruction. Scores achieved on the memory tests were compared to scores obtained by performance of that novel motor task. The data were analyzed using correlational and multiple regression techniques, and revealed a

Aging and Motor Learning of a Functional Motor Task

“…Subjects individually viewed a live demonstration by the examiner of the specific method for performance of the motor task immediately prior to undergoing the directed practice. The live demonstration included a concurrent scripted verbal description of the specific method of performance of the motor task (Tunney et al, 2002). The car was parked on a level surface.…”

“…The questionnaire included demographic and background information, activity level, medical diagnoses, and current medications. A motor task scoring form (Figure 1) developed and used in a previous study (Tunney, Taylor, Higbie, & Haist, 2002) was used to measure performance on a 20-point scale. The transfer task had 10 distinct steps, and each step was graded on a 0-2 scale, for a maximum possible score of 20.…”