Improving working memory performance in healthy older adults: Investigating the training effects on central executive through a quasi-experimental approach

Improving working memory performance in healthy older adults: Investigating the training effects on central executive through a quasi-experimental approach

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Introduction: Working memory (WM) training is widely recognized as an effective intervention to enhance WM capacity in the elderly.This study aims to explore the impact of WM training on both criterion and near-transfer tasks in older adults.Method: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, this research involved 30 participants aged 60 to 83.Participants were randomly allocated into two active training groups and one control group.Active Group click here 1 underwent 20 training days, each lasting 30 minutes, while Active Group 2 received 15 minutes of Cogmed WM training per session over 25 days.

The control group participated in assessments but did not receive training.All groups were evaluated on criterion and near-transfer tasks before and after the training.Results: The data indicated that Active Group 2 exhibited slight improvements in criterion task performance compared to both Active Group 1 and the control group.In near-transfer tasks, particularly the backward earthbath facial wipes digit span task, Active Group 2 also outperformed the other groups.Discussion: The findings reinforce the potential for WM enhancement in older adults through targeted training.

Additionally, the study highlights that training specific WM subsidiaries can foster transfer effects to untrained central executive functions, underscoring the adaptability and plasticity of aging cognitive systems.