Design your own memory strategies! Self-generated strategy training versus mnemonic training in old age: an 8-month follow-up.
We examined maintenance effects following training in a self-generated strategy versus a mnemonic strategy, designed to improve recall of four-digit numbers in older adults. This was accomplished by reassessing participants from a previous study eight months after completion of training. A control group that received no training was also included. The results showed that both training groups maintained training-related gains in number recall performance eight months later in a criterion task providing cognitive support. However, when no support was provided, number recall performance for the mnemonic group dropped slightly whereas performance for the self-generated strategy group improved. The control group maintained performance across assessments. These data indicate the numerical memory training may result in long-term effects in older adults and that, under some conditions, practising one's own memory strategies may have advantages over mnemonic training in old age.
Derwinger
Anna
A
Stockholm Gerontology Research Centre, and Aging Research Centre, NEUROTEC, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. anna.derwinger@neurotec.ki.se
Stigsdotter Neely
Anna
A
Bäckman
Lars
L
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy