Mnemonic training in older adults: effects of age, length of training, and type of cognitive pretraining.
OBJECTIVE
To improve performance with mnemonic techniques for remembering words and proper names.


METHODS
For word recall, a 2 x 2 factorial in which type of pretraining and length of training were between-subjects manipulations. For proper name recall, a two-group design in which type of pretraining was manipulated between subjects.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
268 community-dwelling adults over the age of 55 years who wished to improve their memory.


METHODS
Recall of words and proper names both before and after training in mnemonics.


METHODS
Participants received a 2-week training course on two mnemonic techniques, the method of loci for words and a name association technique for proper names.


RESULTS
There was no effect of the pretraining manipulation on proper name recall. For word recall, however, a multiple regression that included age indicated that the older-old participants benefited more from a combination of comprehensive pretraining and extended mnemonic training than did the younger-old.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased training time coupled with a comprehensive pretraining regimen can improve the performance of the older-old in using mnemonics; this improved performance cannot be attributed solely to enhanced knowledge of the mnemonic.
Brooks
J O
JO
Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA. johnbrks@stanford.edu
Friedman
L
L
Pearman
A M
AM
Gray
C
C
Yesavage
J A
JA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014936:Word Association Tests