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Age and synchrony effects in performance on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2012

Claire A. Lehmann ,
Anthony D. G. Marks  and
Tanya L. Hanstock
Claire A. Lehmann
Affiliation:
University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
Anthony D. G. Marks*
Affiliation:
University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
Tanya L. Hanstock
Affiliation:
University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Anthony D. G. Marks, School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia. Phone: +61-409398591; Fax +61-2-6654-7183. Email: tony.marks@une.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: There is evidence that individuals perform better on some memory tasks when tested at their preferred time of day, a phenomenon named the synchrony effect. There is also evidence of a predictable change from evening to morning preference during the adult life span. Together, these findings suggest that age effects on memory measures may be overestimated when time of testing is ignored. The aim of this study was to investigate whether synchrony effects could partially explain the well-documented age-related decline in performance on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).

Methods: Groups of 42 younger adults (aged 18–33 years) and 42 older adults (aged 55–71 years) were administered the RAVLT at either their optimal (n = 21) or non-optimal (n = 21) time of day.

Results: Although both age groups benefited moderately from being tested at their optimal time, this effect was greater for older participants and extended to all facets of RAVLT performance except proactive interference. However, younger adults outperformed older adults on three of the five RAVLTs.

Conclusions: These findings add to existing evidence of synchrony effects, particularly in memory functioning of older adults, and highlight the need for clinicians to consider optimal time of testing when administering and interpreting the RAVLT.

Keywords

cognitive assessmentcognitive testingmemorymental capacityaging
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 25 , Issue 4 , April 2013 , pp. 657 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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