Feasibility of using a computer-assisted working memory training program for healthy older women

Ghavidel, Fahimeh; Fadardi, Javad Salehi; Gatto, Nicole M.; Sedaghat, Fereshteh; Tabibi, Zahra

doi:10.1007/s10339-020-00975-7

Research Article
Published: 28 April 2020

Feasibility of using a computer-assisted working memory training program for healthy older women

Fahimeh Ghavidel¹,
Javad Salehi Fadardi^1,2,4,
Nicole M. Gatto⁴,
Fereshteh Sedaghat³ &
Zahra Tabibi¹

Cognitive Processing volume 21, pages 383–390 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Interventions for age-associated cognitive impairment are of increasing significance as populations age. Using N-back and memory strategy enhancement, the present study aimed to explore the feasibility of using, and outcomes of a working memory (WM) training program on visuospatial and verbal WM in older female adults. Older women from two comparable local health centers who scored 26 and higher on Mini-Mental State Examination were invited to participate. Women at one center (experimental group) received three sessions on memory enhancement techniques and a computerized training program with N-back. Women at the other center (control group) received three sessions on memory and aging and training on using various features of cellphones. All participants completed the Corsi Block Task and Digit Span Task at pre- and post-training. The experimental group showed significant improvements in their visuospatial and verbal WM compared to the control group. These findings support the brain’s plasticity in the elderly. WM training for improving cognitive performance in older adults has potential and should be further investigated.

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Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948991, Mashhad, Iran
Fahimeh Ghavidel, Javad Salehi Fadardi & Zahra Tabibi
Bangor University, Bangor, UK
Javad Salehi Fadardi
Sedaghat Cognitive Neuroscience Clinic, Mashhad, Iran
Fereshteh Sedaghat
Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
Javad Salehi Fadardi & Nicole M. Gatto

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Fahimeh Ghavidel
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Javad Salehi Fadardi
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Nicole M. Gatto
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Fereshteh Sedaghat
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Zahra Tabibi
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Correspondence to Javad Salehi Fadardi.

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Ghavidel, F., Fadardi, J.S., Gatto, N.M. et al. Feasibility of using a computer-assisted working memory training program for healthy older women. Cogn Process 21, 383–390 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-020-00975-7

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Received: 29 December 2018
Accepted: 25 March 2020
Published: 28 April 2020
Issue Date: August 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-020-00975-7

Keywords

Cognitive training
Elderly
Older adults
N-back task
Visuospatial working memory