title: The effects of spaced retrieval combined with errorless learning in institutionalized elders with dementia: recall performance, cognitive status, and food intake.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects on recall performance, cognitive status, and food intake when using accumulating cues in a spaced retrieval (SR) paradigm. In a double-blinded experimental design, 32 participants in the SR combined with errorless learning (SR/EL) group and 29 participants in the SR-only group were trained in a variety of eating-related actions. Accumulating cues were used within each SR trial in the SR/EL group. The participants' recall performance, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and the portion of a meal that participants had eaten were measured. After the 8-week training period, results showed significantly improved recall performances (P<0.0031) and food intake (t=2.140, P=0.038) in the SR/EL group compared with the SR-only group. MMSE scores showed no significant differences after the 8-week intervention (t=1.315, P=0.194). Results suggest that an SR/EL intervention could create optimal learning conditions for the self-regulation of common eating difficulties in people with dementia.
authors.affiliation: *School of Nursing, and Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung †Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing §Insitute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei ‡Department of Nursing, Hsin-Sheng College of Medical Care and Management, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hua-Shan
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Chan
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shu-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Shiao-Chi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D011939:Mental Recall; D009735:Nursing Homes; D013624:Taiwan