Strategies for improving memory: a randomized trial of memory groups for older people, including those with mild cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND Governments are promoting the importance of maintaining cognitive health into older age to minimize risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Older people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are particularly vulnerable to memory challenges in daily activities and are seeking ways to maintain independent living. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of memory groups for improving memory strategies and memory ability of older people, especially those with aMCI. METHODS 113 healthy older adults (HOA) and 106 adults with aMCI were randomized to a six week memory group or a waitlist control condition. Outcome was evaluated through knowledge and use of memory strategies, memory ability (self report and neuropsychological tests) and wellbeing. Assessments included a six month follow up. RESULTS Using intention to treat analyses, there were intervention effects for HOA and aMCI groups in strategy knowledge (HOA: e2= 0.20; aMCI: e2= 0.06) strategy use (HOA: e2= 0.18; aMCI: e2= 0.08) and wellbeing (HOA: e2= 0.11; aMCI: e2= 0.05) There were also intervention effects in the HOA group, but not the aMCI group, in self reported memory ability (e2= 0.06) and prospective memory tests (e2= 0.02) By six month follow up, gains were found on most HOA outcomes. In the aMCI group gains were found in strategy use, and by this stage, gains in prospective memory were also found. CONCLUSION Memory groups can engage older people in techniques for maintaining cognitive health and improve memory performance, but more modest benefits are seen for older adults with aMCI.
Journal of Alzheimer's disease JAD