Promoting transfer in memory training for older adults

Abstract

Background and aims-Many studies have focused on memory training in aging showing older adults can improve their performance. Unfortunately the benefits of training rarely generalize to other tasks that were not specifically trained. We investigated the benefits of instruction-based training in promoting transfer effects in older adults.

Can Computer Familiarity Regulate the Benefits of Computer-based Memory Training in Normal Aging? A Study with an Italian Sample of Older Adults

“…To our knowledge, only West and Crook (1992) evaluated transfer effects in a novel memory training program, although this topic had been explored in some depth in the traditional memory training literature (e.g., Cavallini et al, 2007Cavallini et al, , 2008. Coupling our findings with those of West and Crook (1992) it is possible to hypothesize that extensive practice of the learned strategies on a wide number of tasks makes older adults able to apply them in an effective way with other materials.…”

“…In the first place, computerized memory tasks compared to paper-pencil ones were individualized and varied in term of complexity on the basis of subjects' skills, enhancing older adults' motivation in performing them (Finkel & Yesavage, 1990). Furthermore, we taught two strategies (i.e., sentence generation and interactive imagery) being used successfully in other memory trainings (e.g., Cavallini et al, 2007Cavallini et al, , 2008Dunlosky et al, 2003). It is well known that older adults being instructed on such associative mediators were able to use them spontaneously as well as younger adults (Dunlosky & Hertzog, 1998Dunlosky, Hertzog, & Powell-Moman, 2005).…”

“…The efficacy of memory training typically involving participants meeting in a group setting for paper-pencil training sessions (e.g., Cavallini, Bottiroli, Dunlosky, Hertzog, & Vecchi, 2008;Cavallini, Dunlosky, Bottiroli, Vecchi, & Hertzog, 2007) has been widely demonstrated by gerontological research (for a review see Verhaeghen, Marcoen, & Goossens, 1992). However, the fact that in this new millennium older adults constitute one of the fastest growing groups (Lawhorn, Ennis, & Lawhorn, 1996) coupled with recent technological changes has determined an increased need to develop flexible and easily distributable innovative approaches for enhancing memory performance (for a review see Rebok, Carlson, & Langbaum, 2007).…”

Training of attentional control in mild cognitive impairment with executive deficits: Results from a double-blind randomised controlled study

“…Furthermore, measuring whether training in combination with pharmacological treatment has potential additive effects is another important question to address (Yesavage et al, 2007). With regards to generalisability, one technique showing promise in promoting transfer in older adults may be to provide explicit instructions on how to use newly trained strategies on new materials (Cavallini, Dunlosky, Bottiroli, Hertzog, & Vecchi, 2010).…”

Assessment of the feasibility of a rehabilitation intervention program for breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints

“…Each participant received a training manual workbook with homework exercises, CDs for auditory exercises, answer keys, and a stopwatch for timing when needed. To facilitate the use of strategies for challenges at home or at work, participants were assigned homework relevant to daily life, as well as exercises not discussed in class, and were asked to set goals specific to daily life tasks that they needed to accomplish (Cavallini et al 2003(Cavallini et al , 2010Lustig et al 2009;Turner and Levine 2004). The first 2 weeks of the intervention emphasized attention strategies; weeks three through five addressed executive functions, memory and a review, respectively.…”