Improved Mood Boosts Memory Training Gains in Older Adults With Subjective Memory Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s):  
Shufei Yin ◽  
Xinyi Zhu ◽  
Rui Li ◽  
Lijuan Huo ◽  
Weicong Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC) have a higher risk of dementia and commonly demonstrate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study aimed to examine the effect of a memory training program for individuals with SMC, and whether memory training combined with group counseling aimed at alleviating depression and anxiety would boost memory training gains.Design: A three-armed, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.Setting and Participants: Community-dwelling older adults with SMC, aged ≥ 60 years.Methods: Participants (n = 124) were randomly assigned to memory training (MT), group counseling (GC), or GC+MT intervention. The GT+MT group received 4-hour group counseling followed by a 4-week memory training, while the MT group attended reading and memory training, and the GC group received group counseling and health lectures. Cognitive function and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed at baseline, mid-, and post-intervention. The GC+MT group and GC group had resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging at mid- and post-intervention.Results: After group counseling, the GC+MT and GC groups showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, compared to the MT group. Memory training enhanced memory performance in both MT and GC+MT groups, but the GC+MT group demonstrated larger memory improvement (Cohen’s d = 0.96) than the MT group (Cohen’s d = 0.62). Amygdala-hippocampus connectivity was associated with improved mood and memory gains.Conclusion and Implications: Group counseling reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and memory training enhanced memory performance. Specifically, improved mood induced larger memory training effects. The results suggest that it may need to include treatment for depression and anxiety in memory intervention for older adults with SMC.Trial Registration: ChiCTR-IOR-15006165 in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickolai Titov ◽  
Vincent J. Fogliati ◽  
Lauren G. Staples ◽  
Milena Gandy ◽  
Luke Johnston ◽  
...  

BackgroundSymptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent in older adults.AimsTo compare clinician-guided and self-guided versions of a transdiagnostic internet-delivered cognitive–behavioural therapy (iCBT) intervention for adults aged 60 years and above.MethodAdults (n=433) with symptoms of anxiety and depression were randomly allocated to: (1) clinician-guided treatment (n=153); (2) initial clinician interview followed by self-guided treatment (n=140); or (3) self-guided treatment without interview (n=140).ResultsLarge reductions (d ≥1.00) in symptoms of depression and anxiety were observed across groups, and sustained at follow-up. No differences were observed in clinical outcomes or satisfaction ratings. Age did not affect outcomes.ConclusionsCarefully developed iCBT interventions may significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults when delivered in either clinician-guided or self-guided formats.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1110-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita L. Frankenmolen ◽  
Eduard J. Overdorp ◽  
Luciano Fasotti ◽  
Jurgen A.H.R. Claassen ◽  
Roy P.C. Kessels ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) in older adults are associated with a decline in everyday functioning and an increased risk for future cognitive decline. This study examines the effect of a memory strategy training compared to a control memory training on memory functioning in daily life. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up assessments conducted in 60 older adults (50–87 years) with SMC. Participants were randomly assigned to either seven sessions of memory strategy training or seven sessions of control memory training. Both interventions were given in small groups and included psycho-education. Primary outcome measure was memory functioning in daily life. Objective measures of memory performance and self-reported measures of strategy use were included as secondary outcome measures. Results: Participants in each intervention group reported an improvement in personal memory goals (p<.0005), up to 6 months after training. An interaction effect showed that participants following memory strategy training reported a larger improvement in personal memory goals (p=.002). Both intervention groups improved on two memory tests (p<.001 and p<.01). In the memory strategy training group, an increase in strategy use in daily life was the strongest predictor (p<.05) of improvement in subjective memory functioning. Conclusions: Older adults with subjective memory complaints benefit from memory strategy training, especially in their memory functioning in daily life. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1110–1120)


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S45-S45
Author(s):  
Courtney J Bolstad ◽  
Anisha L Thomas ◽  
Michael R Nadorff

Abstract Symptoms of insomnia are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults, yet less is known about the impact of specific forms of insomnia (i.e. onset, maintenance, and terminal insomnia). We explored how insomnia type predicted symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults (n = 133; mean age 69, range 65-89). We hypothesized that onset and maintenance insomnia would have stronger relations to depression and anxiety than terminal insomnia. Regression analyses indicated that onset insomnia was the only significant predictor of anxiety symptoms, and maintenance was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms. Thus, our findings suggest that despite overlap between depression and anxiety, insomnia may have different mechanisms of affecting each disorder. Implications for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms by addressing insomnia problems will be discussed.


Author(s):  
R.-Y. Chao ◽  
T.-F. Chen ◽  
Y.-L. Chang

Background: Although evidence suggests that subjective memory complaints (SMCs) could be a risk factor for dementia, the relationship between SMCs and objective memory performance remains controversial. Old adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may represent a highly heterogeneous group, based partly on the demonstrated variability in the level of executive function among those individuals. It is reasonable to speculate that the accuracy of the memory-monitoring ability could be affected by the level of executive function in old adults. Objective: This study investigated the effects of executive function level on the consistency between SMCs and objective memory performance while simultaneously considering demographic and clinical variables in nondemented older adults. Setting: Participants were recruited from both the memory clinics and local communities. Participants: Participants comprised 65 cognitively normal (CN) older adults and 54 patients with MCI. Measurements: Discrepancy scores between subjective memory evaluation and objective memory performance were calculated to determine the degree and directionality of the concordance between subjective and objective measures. Demographic, emotional, genetic, and clinical information as well as several executive function measurements were collected. Results: The CN and MCI groups exhibited similar degrees of SMC; however, the patients with MCI were more likely to overestimate their objective memory ability, whereas the CN adults were more likely to underestimate their objective memory ability. The results also revealed that symptoms of depression, group membership, and the executive function level together predicted the discrepancy between the subjective and objective measures of memory function; however, the executive function level retained its unique predictive ability even after the symptoms of depression, group membership, and other factors were controlled for. Conclusion: Although both noncognitive and cognitive factors were necessary for consideration, the level of executive function may play a unique role in understanding the equivocal relationship of the concurrence between subjective complaints and objective function measures. Through a comprehensive evaluation, high-risk individuals (i.e., CN individuals heightened self-awareness of memory changes) may possibly be identified or provided with the necessary intervention during stages at which objective cognitive impairment remains clinically unapparent.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S176-S176 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Shin ◽  
S.J. Oh ◽  
S. Seo ◽  
J.H. Lee ◽  
M.J. Song

IntroductionBrain health has garnered increasing attention as a requisite condition for healthy aging. The rapid growth in mobile health and increasing smartphone ownership among older adults has paved the way for smartphones to be utilized as effective tools for improving mental fitness.ObjectivesThere are few studies that have explored the efficacy of smartphone-based cognitive training. The present study examined the memory-enhancing effects of smartphone-based memory training for older adults.AimsWe explored whether newly developed application “Smartphone-based brain Anti-aging and memory Reinforcement Training (SMART)” improved memory performance in older adults with subjective memory complaints.MethodsA total of 53 adults (mean age: 59.3 years) were randomised into either one of two smartphone-based intervention groups (SMART vs. Fit Brains®) or a wait-list group. Participants in the intervention groups underwent 15–20 minutes of training per day, five days per week for 8 weeks. We used objective cognitive measures to evaluate changes with respect to four domains: attention, memory, working memory (WM), and executive function (inhibition, fluency, etc.). In addition, we included self-report questionnaires to assess levels of subjective memory complaints.ResultsThe performance on WM test increased significantly in the SMART group (t[17] = 6.27, P < 0.0001) but not in the control groups. Self-reports of memory contentment, however, increased in the Fit Brains® group only (t[18] = 2.12, P = 0.048).ConclusionsUse of an 8-week smartphone-based memory training program may improve working memory function in older adults. However, objective improvement in performance does not necessarily lead to decreased subjective memory complaints.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Farina ◽  
Marc Patrick Bennett ◽  
James William Griffith ◽  
Bert Lenaert

Evidence concerning the impact of fear of memory decline on health-related outcomes is limited. To determine the relationship between fear-avoidance of memory decline, quality of life and subjective memory in older adults using a novel scale to measure fear of memory decline. Sixty-seven older adults (59-81 years) completed a 23-item self-report questionnaire designed to capture experiential, cognitive and behavioral components of fear of memory decline, known as the fear and avoidance of memory decline (FAM) scale. Memory performance was assessed using the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-IV) and the Memory Failures Scale (MFS). General anxiety was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). Quality of life was assessed using the Older Person’s Quality of Life scale (OPQOL-35). The FAM scale demonstrated good reliability and validity. Three latent factors were observed including: (1) fear-avoidance, (2) problematic beliefs and (3) resilience. After adjusting for age, education, memory performance and general anxiety, higher fear-avoidance predicted lower quality of life (p=.021) and increased memory failures (p=.022). Increased fear of memory decline predicts lower quality of life and subjective memory failures in healthy older adults. Based on these findings, we propose a preliminary fear-avoidance model that explains the development and maintenance of dementia-related functional disability in terms of psychological processes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110176
Author(s):  
Brodie M Sakakibara ◽  
Scott A Lear ◽  
Susan I Barr ◽  
Charles Goldsmith ◽  
Amy Schneeberg ◽  
...  

Background: Stroke Coach is a lifestyle coaching telehealth program to improve self-management of stroke risk factors. Aims: To examine the efficacy of Stroke Coach on lifestyle behaviour and risk factor control among community-living stroke survivors within one-year post stroke. Methods: Participants were randomized to Stroke Coach or an attention control Memory Training group. Lifestyle behaviour was measured using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Secondary outcomes included specific behavioural and cardiometabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cognitive status, and depressive symptoms. Measurements were taken at baseline, post-intervention (6 months), and retention (12 month). Linear mixed-effects models were used to test the study hypotheses (p<0.05). All analyses were intention-to-treat. Results: The mean age of the Stroke Coach (n=64) and Memory Training (n=62) groups was 67.2 and 69.1 years, respectively. The majority of participants (n = 100) had mild stroke (modified Rankin Scale = 1 or 2), were active, with controlled blood pressure (mean = 129/79 mmHg) at baseline. At post-intervention, there were no significant differences in lifestyle (b = -2.87; 95%CI -8.03 to 2.29; p=0.28). Glucose control, as measured by HbA1c (b = 0.17; 95%CI 0.17 to 0.32; p=0.03), and HRQoL, measured using SF-36 Physical Component Summary (b = -3.05; 95%CI -5.88 to -0.21; p=0.04), were significantly improved in Stroke Coach compared to Memory Training, and the improvements were maintained at retention. Conclusion: Stroke Coach did not improve lifestyle behaviour, however, there were improvements to HbA1c and HRQoL among community-living stroke survivors with mild stroke-related disability. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02207023)


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