Effects of cognitive training based on metamemory and mental images

Lima-Silva, Thaís Bento; Ordonez, Tiago Nascimento; Santos, Glenda Dias dos; Fabrício, Aline Teixeira; Aramaki, Flávia Ogava; Almeida, Evany Bettine de; Vianna-Paulo, Débora Lee; Malagutti, Mayne Patrício; Valente-Oliveira, Ana Carolina; Iwasaki, Amanda; Souza, Gisele dos Santos; Yassuda, Mônica Sanches

doi:10.1590/S1980-57642010DN40200007

Abstract

There is scant research evidence regarding training effects among elderly with limited educational experience. Research indicating an association between metamemory and memory performance is based on samples of older adults with at least 12 years of education.

Objectives:

To test the efficacy of a cognitive training program based on the creation of mental images and changes in specific aspects of metamemory in individuals with 3 to 15 years of education (M=8.38, SD=4.24).

Methods:

37 older adults participated in five training sessions (Training Group (TG)) and 32 control subjects completed only pre and post test assessments (Control Group (CG)) including the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) (naming and memorization of 10 pictures, animal category verbal fluency test, the Clock Drawing Test (CDT)), the Story subtest from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q), and the Picture and Story domains from the Memory Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (MSEQ).

Results:

The TG showed significant improvement between pre and post tests on the delayed recall of the 10 pictures and in self-efficacy for the memorization of stories. These same changes were not found in the CG .

Conclusions:

Five-session cognitive training may lead to significant improvements in episodic memory and memory self-efficacy, an aspect of metamemory, in individuals with an average of 8 years of education.

Key words:
cognitive training; cognition; mental images; self-efficacy; metamemory; elderly; aging.

Resumo

Existem na literatura poucas evidências sobre os efeitos do treino cognitivo entre idosos com baixa escolaridade. Pesquisas que evidenciam a associação entre metamemória e o desempenho em tarefas de memória baseiam-se em amostras com idosos com 12 anos de escolaridade ou mais

Objetivos:

Testar a eficácia de um programa de treino cognitivo baseado na criação de imagens mentais e na alteração de aspectos da metamemória entre indivíduos entre 3 e 15 anos de escolaridade (M=8.38, SD=4.24).

Métodos:

37 adultos maduros e idosos participaram de cinco sessões de treino (Grupo Treino (GT)) e 32 somente completaram as avaliações pré e pós-intervenção (Grupo Controle (GC)), com o Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (EDG), a Bateria Breve de Rastreio Cognitivo (BBRC) (nomeação e memorização de 10 figuras, fluência verbal animais, Teste do Desenho do Relógio), o subteste Estória do Teste Comportamental de Memória de Rivermead (RBMT), o Questionário de Queixas de Memória (MAC-Q), os domínios Figura e História do Questionário de Auto-Eficácia para Memória (MSEQ).

Resultados:

O GT apresentou ganho significativo entre o pré e o pós-teste no resgate tardio das 10 figuras e na auto-eficácia para a memorização de histórias. Estas alterações não foram encontradas no GC.

Conclusões:

O treino cognitivo de cinco sessões pode gerar melhora significativa em memória episódica e em auto-eficácia, um aspecto da metamemória, em indivíduos com 8 anos de escolaridade em média.

Palavras-chave:
treino cognitivo; cognição; imagens mentais; auto-eficácia; metamemória; idosos; envelhecimento.

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Full text available only in PDF format.

References

¹
Ramos LR. Fatores determinantes do envelhecimento saudável em idosos residentes em centro urbano: Projeto Epidoso, São Paulo. Cad Saúde Pública 2003;19:793-797.
²
Loewenstein AD, Amigo E, Duara R, et al. A new scale for the assessment of functional status in Alzheimer Disease and related disorders. J Gerontol 1989;4:114-121.
³
Verhaeghen P, Marcoen A, Goosens L. Improving memory performance in the aged through mnemonic training: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Aging 1992;7:242-251.
⁴
Willis SL, Tennstedt SL, Marsiske M, et al. For the ACTIVE Study Group, Long-term effects of cognitive training on everyday functional outcomes in older adults. JAMA 2006;296: 2805-2814.
⁵
Carvalho FCR. Treino de memória episódica com idosos normais. Dissertação (Mestrado em Gerontologia) disponível na biblioteca digital da Unicamp - Faculdade de Educação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, 2006.
⁶
Salmazo-Silva H, Yassuda MS. Memory training for older adults with low education: mental images versus categorization. Educ Gerontol 2009;35:890-905.
⁷
West LR. Compensatory strategies for age-associated memory impairment. In: Baddeley AD, Wilson BA, Watts FN. Editors. Handbook of memory disorders. John Wiley & Sons; 1995;20:481-500.
⁸
Yesavage JA. Imagery pretraining and memory training in the elderly. Gerontology 1983;29:271-275.
⁹
Dunlosky J, Hertzog, C. Training programs to improve learning in later adulthood: Helping older adults educate themselves. In: Hacker DJ, Dunlosky J, Graesser AC, Editors. Metacognition in educational theory and practice. New Jersey London, Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum;1998:249-276.
¹⁰
West RL, Yassuda MS. Aging and memory control beliefs: performance in relation to goal setting and memory self-evaluation. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2004;59:P56-P65.
¹¹
Flavell JH, Wellman HM. Metamemory. In: Kail RV, Hagen JW, Editors. Perspectives on the development of memory and cognition. Hillsdale, NL: Erlbaum;1977:3-34.
¹²
Berry JM. Memory self-efficacy in its social cognitive context. In: Hess TM, Blanchard-Fields F, Editores. Social cognition and aging. San Diego: Academic Press; 1999:69-96.
¹³
Lovelace EA. Aging and metacognitions concerning memory function. In: Lovelace EA, Editor. Aging and cognition: mental processes, self awareness, and interventions, Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1990:157-188.
¹⁴
Valentijn SAM, Hill RD, Van Hooren SAH, et al. Memory self-efficacy predicts memory performance: results from a 6-year follow-up study. Psychol Aging 2006;21:165-172.
¹⁵
West RL, Bagwell DK, Dark-Freudeman A. Self-efficacy and memory aging: the impact of a memory intervention based on self-efficacy. Aging Neuropsychol Cogn 2008;15:302-329.
¹⁶
Yassuda MS, Batistoni SST, Fortes AG, Neri AL. Treino de memória no idoso saudável: benefícios e mecanismos. Psicol Refl Crít 2006;19:470-481.
¹⁷
Brucki SMD, Nitrini R, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Okamoto IH. Sugestões para o uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental. Arq Neuropsiquiat 2003;61:777-781.
¹⁸
Almeida OP. Queixas de problemas com a memória e o diagnóstico de demência. Arq Neuropsiquiatria 1998;56:412-418.
¹⁹
Vitiello APP, Ciriaco JGM, Takahashi DY, Nitrini R, Caramelli P. Avaliação cognitiva breve de pacientes atendidos em ambulatórios de neurologia geral. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2007;65:299-303.
²⁰
Yassuda MS, Flaks MK, Viola LF, et al. The psychometric characteristics of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) an early detection instrument for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in Brazil. International Psychogeriatrics (in press).
²¹
Crook TH, Feher, EP, Larabee GJ. Assessment of memory complaint in age-associated memory impairment: the MAC-Q. Int Psychogeriatr 1992;2:165-175.
²²
Mattos P, Lino V, Rizo L, Alfano A, Araújo C, Raggio R. Memory complaints and test performance in healthy elderly persons. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2003;61:920-924.
²³
Brucki SMD, Rocha MSG. Category fluency test: effects of age, gender and education on total scores, clustering, in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking subjects. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:1771-1777.
²⁴
Sunderland T, Hill JL, Mellow AM, et al. Clock drawing in Alzheimer's disease: A aovel measure of dementia severity. J Am Geriatr Soc 1989;37:725-729.
²⁵
West LR. Compensatory strategies for age-associated memory impairment. In: Baddeley AD, Wilson BA, Watts FN, Editors. Handbook of memory disorders. New York: John Wiley e Sons Ltda; 1995:481-500.
²⁶
Yesavage JA. Relaxation and memory training in 39 elderly patients. Am J Psychiatry 1984;141:778-781.
²⁷
Brooks III JO, Friedman L, Pearman AM, Gray C, Yesavage JA. Mnemonic training in older adults: effects of age, length of training and type of cognitive training. Int Psychogeriatr 1999;11:75-84.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
Apr-Jun 2010

History

Received
22 Nov 2009
Accepted
22 Apr 2010

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

[1] ¹
Ramos LR. Fatores determinantes do envelhecimento saudável em idosos residentes em centro urbano: Projeto Epidoso, São Paulo. Cad Saúde Pública 2003;19:793-797.

[2] ²
Loewenstein AD, Amigo E, Duara R, et al. A new scale for the assessment of functional status in Alzheimer Disease and related disorders. J Gerontol 1989;4:114-121.

[3] ³
Verhaeghen P, Marcoen A, Goosens L. Improving memory performance in the aged through mnemonic training: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Aging 1992;7:242-251.

[4] ⁴
Willis SL, Tennstedt SL, Marsiske M, et al. For the ACTIVE Study Group, Long-term effects of cognitive training on everyday functional outcomes in older adults. JAMA 2006;296: 2805-2814.

[5] ⁵
Carvalho FCR. Treino de memória episódica com idosos normais. Dissertação (Mestrado em Gerontologia) disponível na biblioteca digital da Unicamp - Faculdade de Educação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, 2006.

[6] ⁶
Salmazo-Silva H, Yassuda MS. Memory training for older adults with low education: mental images versus categorization. Educ Gerontol 2009;35:890-905.

[7] ⁷
West LR. Compensatory strategies for age-associated memory impairment. In: Baddeley AD, Wilson BA, Watts FN. Editors. Handbook of memory disorders. John Wiley & Sons; 1995;20:481-500.

[8] ⁸
Yesavage JA. Imagery pretraining and memory training in the elderly. Gerontology 1983;29:271-275.

[9] ⁹
Dunlosky J, Hertzog, C. Training programs to improve learning in later adulthood: Helping older adults educate themselves. In: Hacker DJ, Dunlosky J, Graesser AC, Editors. Metacognition in educational theory and practice. New Jersey London, Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum;1998:249-276.

[10] ¹⁰
West RL, Yassuda MS. Aging and memory control beliefs: performance in relation to goal setting and memory self-evaluation. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2004;59:P56-P65.

[11] ¹¹
Flavell JH, Wellman HM. Metamemory. In: Kail RV, Hagen JW, Editors. Perspectives on the development of memory and cognition. Hillsdale, NL: Erlbaum;1977:3-34.

[12] ¹²
Berry JM. Memory self-efficacy in its social cognitive context. In: Hess TM, Blanchard-Fields F, Editores. Social cognition and aging. San Diego: Academic Press; 1999:69-96.

[13] ¹³
Lovelace EA. Aging and metacognitions concerning memory function. In: Lovelace EA, Editor. Aging and cognition: mental processes, self awareness, and interventions, Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1990:157-188.

[14] ¹⁴
Valentijn SAM, Hill RD, Van Hooren SAH, et al. Memory self-efficacy predicts memory performance: results from a 6-year follow-up study. Psychol Aging 2006;21:165-172.

[15] ¹⁵
West RL, Bagwell DK, Dark-Freudeman A. Self-efficacy and memory aging: the impact of a memory intervention based on self-efficacy. Aging Neuropsychol Cogn 2008;15:302-329.

[16] ¹⁶
Yassuda MS, Batistoni SST, Fortes AG, Neri AL. Treino de memória no idoso saudável: benefícios e mecanismos. Psicol Refl Crít 2006;19:470-481.

[17] ¹⁷
Brucki SMD, Nitrini R, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Okamoto IH. Sugestões para o uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental. Arq Neuropsiquiat 2003;61:777-781.

[18] ¹⁸
Almeida OP. Queixas de problemas com a memória e o diagnóstico de demência. Arq Neuropsiquiatria 1998;56:412-418.

[19] ¹⁹
Vitiello APP, Ciriaco JGM, Takahashi DY, Nitrini R, Caramelli P. Avaliação cognitiva breve de pacientes atendidos em ambulatórios de neurologia geral. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2007;65:299-303.

[20] ²⁰
Yassuda MS, Flaks MK, Viola LF, et al. The psychometric characteristics of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) an early detection instrument for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in Brazil. International Psychogeriatrics (in press).

[21] ²¹
Crook TH, Feher, EP, Larabee GJ. Assessment of memory complaint in age-associated memory impairment: the MAC-Q. Int Psychogeriatr 1992;2:165-175.

[22] ²²
Mattos P, Lino V, Rizo L, Alfano A, Araújo C, Raggio R. Memory complaints and test performance in healthy elderly persons. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2003;61:920-924.

[23] ²³
Brucki SMD, Rocha MSG. Category fluency test: effects of age, gender and education on total scores, clustering, in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking subjects. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:1771-1777.

[24] ²⁴
Sunderland T, Hill JL, Mellow AM, et al. Clock drawing in Alzheimer's disease: A aovel measure of dementia severity. J Am Geriatr Soc 1989;37:725-729.

[25] ²⁵
West LR. Compensatory strategies for age-associated memory impairment. In: Baddeley AD, Wilson BA, Watts FN, Editors. Handbook of memory disorders. New York: John Wiley e Sons Ltda; 1995:481-500.

[26] ²⁶
Yesavage JA. Relaxation and memory training in 39 elderly patients. Am J Psychiatry 1984;141:778-781.

[27] ²⁷
Brooks III JO, Friedman L, Pearman AM, Gray C, Yesavage JA. Mnemonic training in older adults: effects of age, length of training and type of cognitive training. Int Psychogeriatr 1999;11:75-84.

Brasil