Autobiographical recall training in elderly adults with subjective memory complaint: a pilot study.
Subjective memory complaint is a self-reported memory impairment which affects elderly people. This problem does not interfere with daily living activities but could decrease quality of life. This study's purpose was to verify whether a specific, newly developed, autobiographical recall training could modify self-perception of memory of subjects with subjective memory complaint. Seven elderly subjects (4 women and 3 men; mean age 65.5 yr., SD=11) with such complaint, evidenced through a specific questionnaire, attended the training course and were prospectively assessed on standard neuropsychological tests, depressive symptomatology, and self-perception of memory. Self-perception of memory, as assessed by scores on a formalized questionnaire, improved significantly after the training, while depressive symptoms did not change. Neuropsychological performances were normal before and after the training, but a statistically significant improvement was observed only on the phonological fluency test. Thus the present pilot study suggested that the training may be effective in improving self-perception of memory and metamnestic capacity in elderly people with subjective memory complaints but not in changing subjects' depressive symptoms. This requires replication of this work with a much larger sample so statistical power is adequate.
Grossi
Dario
D
Faculty of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy. dario.grossi@unina2.it
Postiglione
Alfredo
A
Schettini
Bruno
B
Trojano
Luigi
L
Barbarulo
Anna Maria
AM
Giugliano
Valentina
V
Ambron
Elisabetta
E
Aiello
Assunta
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome