Testing the limits of cognitive plasticity in older adults: application to attentional control.
Laboratory based training studies suggest that older adults can benefit from training in tasks that tap control aspects of attention. This was further explored in the present study in which older and younger adults completed an adaptive and individualized dual-task training program. The testing-the-limits approach was used [Lindenberger, U., & Baltes, P. B. (1995). Testing-the-limits and experimental simulation: Two methods to explicate the role of learning in development. Human Development, 38, 349-360.] in order to gain insight into how attentional control can be improved in older adults. Results indicated substantial improvement in overlapping task performance in both younger and older participants suggesting the availability of cognitive plasticity in both age groups. Improvement was equivalent among age groups in response speed and performance variability but larger in response accuracy for older adults. The results suggest that time-sharing skills can be substantially improved in older adults.
Bherer
Louis
L
Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal and Research Centre, Institut Universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Case Postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3P8. bherer.louis@uqam.ca
Kramer
Arthur F
AF
Peterson
Matthew S
MS
Colcombe
Stanley
S
Erickson
Kirk
K
Becic
Ensar
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*