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Benefits of training working memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: specific and transfer effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 December 2012

Barbara Carretti ,
Erika Borella ,
Silvia Fostinelli  and
Michela Zavagnin
Barbara Carretti*
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
Erika Borella*
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
Silvia Fostinelli
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
Michela Zavagnin
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Barbara Carretti or Erika Borella, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy. Phone: +39 049 8276948; Fax: +39 049 8276600. Email: barbara.carretti@unipd.it or erika.borella@unipd.it.
Correspondence should be addressed to: Barbara Carretti or Erika Borella, Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy. Phone: +39 049 8276948; Fax: +39 049 8276600. Email: barbara.carretti@unipd.it or erika.borella@unipd.it.
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Abstract

Background: A growing number of studies are attempting to understand how effective cognitive interventions may be for patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), particularly in relation to their memory problems.

Methods: The present study aimed to explore the benefits of a working memory (WM) training program in aMCI patients. Patients (N = 20) were randomly assigned to two training programs: the experimental group practiced with a verbal WM task, while the active control group conducted educational activities on memory.

Results: Results showed that the aMCI patients completing the WM training obtained specific gains in the task trained with some transfer effects on other WM measures (visuospatial WM) and on processes involved in or related to WM, e.g. fluid intelligence (the Cattell test) and long-term memory. This was not the case for the aMCI control group, who experienced only a very limited improvement.

Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that WM training could be a valuable method for improving cognitive performance in aMCI patients, possibly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords

aMCIworking memory trainingtransfer effectsmaintenance effects
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 25 , Issue 4 , April 2013 , pp. 617 - 626
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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