Abstract
Background: Scientifically evaluated cognitive intervention programs are essential to meet the demands of our increasingly aging society. Currently, one of the “hottest” topics in the field is the improvement of working memory function and its potential impact on overall cognition. The present study evaluated the efficacy of WOME (WOrking MEmory), a theory-based working memory training program, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized controlled trial (www.drks.de, DRKS00013162).Methods: N = 60 healthy older adults were allocated to (1) the WOME intervention, (2) an active low-level intervention, or (3) a passive control group. Overall, the intervention groups practiced twelve sessions of 45 min within 4 weeks of their respective training. Transfer effects were measured via an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires both pre-/post-training and at a 3-month follow-up.Results: WOME led to a significant improvement in working memory function, demonstrated on a non-trained near transfer task and on two different composite scores with moderate to large effect sizes. In addition, we found some indication of relevant impact on everyday life. The effects were short-term rather than stable, being substantially diminished at follow-up with only little evidence suggesting long-term maintenance. No transfer effects on other cognitive functions were observed.Conclusion: WOME is an appropriate and efficient intervention specifically targeting the working memory system in healthy older adults.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), Identifier: DRKS00013162.
Highlights
In an increasingly aging population, we would benefit from reliable research data concerning appropriate prevention and intervention treatments
Multiple meta-analyses showed that intensive working memory (WM) training led to significant and longlasting improvements in overall WM functioning, and there was some indication that it transfers to associated cognitive functions (Karbach and Verhaeghen, 2014; Lampit et al, 2014; Weicker et al, 2016)
Many studies support the assumption that age serves as a negative predictor for training benefits, especially with regard to changes beyond the WM system, which limits the potential of WM training in older adults (Brehmer et al, 2012) and some metaanalyses question the efficacy of WM training in comparison to practicing daily routines (Dougherty et al, 2016; MelbyLervag et al, 2016)
Summary
In an increasingly aging population, we would benefit from reliable research data concerning appropriate prevention and intervention treatments. The underlying neuronal mechanism of such transfer effects remain largely unknown, behavioral changes are found to be accompanied by transformations in brain activation, brain structure, and connectivity (for a review, see Buschkühl et al, 2012). Despite such promising findings, many studies support the assumption that age serves as a negative predictor for training benefits, especially with regard to changes beyond the WM system, which limits the potential of WM training in older adults (Brehmer et al, 2012) and some metaanalyses question the efficacy of WM training in comparison to practicing daily routines (Dougherty et al, 2016; MelbyLervag et al, 2016). The present study evaluated the efficacy of WOME (WOrking MEmory), a theory-based working memory training program, in a double-blind, placebocontrolled, and randomized controlled trial (www.drks.de, DRKS00013162)
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