Mnemonic training in older adults: effects of age, length of training, and type of cognitive pretraining.

Abstract

To improve performance with mnemonic techniques for remembering words and proper names. For word recall, a 2 x 2 factorial in which type of pretraining and length of training were between-subjects manipulations. For proper name recall, a two-group design in which type of pretraining was manipulated between subjects. Community. 268 community-dwelling adults over the age of 55 years who wished to improve their memory. Recall of words and proper names both before and after training in mnemonics. Participants received a 2-week training course on two mnemonic techniques, the method of loci for words and a name association technique for proper names. There was no effect of the pretraining manipulation on proper name recall. For word recall, however, a multiple regression that included age indicated that the older-old participants benefited more from a combination of comprehensive pretraining and extended mnemonic training than did the younger-old. Increased training time coupled with a comprehensive pretraining regimen can improve the performance of the older-old in using mnemonics; this improved performance cannot be attributed solely to enhanced knowledge of the mnemonic.