The aim of this study is to investigate if perceptual-cognitive training can provide a proactive intervention to enhance cognition in older adults with memory problems.

What Was Studied

47 healthy participants aged 60-90 with subjective memory problems were divided into active and control groups. All participants completed three robust neuropsychological assessments over a three-month period. Active participants completed these before, after and following a 7 week NeuroTracker training intervention.

What Was Found

The NeuroTracker trained group improved significantly on the task, with significant or major transfer to scores in memory tasks (e.g., CVLT-II: Immediate Free Recall; Short-Term Memory Recall, and Long- Term Memory Recall), working memory tasks (e.g., Digit Span Backward) and cognitive flexibility tasks (e.g., D-KEFS Verbal Fluency Category Switching and D-KEFS Verbal Fluency Letter Fluency). NeuroTracker scores also correlated to the scale of these improvements for processing speed, memory performance, and cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, some increased transfer benefits were found one month after the training intervention, potentially indicating heightened neurogenesis and promise for neuroplastic cognitive rehabilitation.

Takeaways

The overall results suggest that this form of perceptual-cognitive training can significantly enhance cognition in a sustained way, with a relatively short training intervention.

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Reference: Brian Christie et al. ‘Perceptual-Cognitive Training Can Improve Cognition in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline’ Ageing Science & Mental Health Studies, Vol. 3, 2019

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