In:
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 13 ( 2021-6-15)
Abstract:
Background : Various working memory (WM) trainings have been tested, but differences in experimental designs, the lack of theoretical background, and the need of identifying task-related processes such as filtering efficiency limit conclusions about their comparative efficacy. Objectives : In this study, we compared the efficacy of a model-based WM training with (MB + ) and without (MB) distractor inhibition on improving WM capacity to a dual n-back and active control condition. Methods : This randomized clinical trial included 123 healthy elderly adults (78 women, 45 men; aged 64.1 ± 8.3 years). All groups underwent 12 40-min training sessions over 3 weeks and four cognitive testing sessions. The first two sessions served as double baseline to account for practice effects. Primary outcome was WM capacity post-training measured by complex span tasks. Near and far transfer was assessed by simple span, n-back, visuospatial and verbal learning, processing speed, and reasoning tasks. Results : Due to preliminary termination (COVID-19), 93 subjects completed the post-training and 60 subjects the follow-up session. On a whole group level, practice effects occurred from prebaseline to baseline in WM capacity ( b = 4.85, t (103) = 4.01, p & lt; 0.001, r = 0.37). Linear mixed-effects models revealed a difference in WM capacity post-training between MB + and MB ( b = −9.62, t (82) = −2.52, p = 0.014, r = 0.27) and a trend difference between MB + and dual n-back ( b = −7.59, t (82) = −1.87, p = 0.065, r = 0.20) and control training ( b = −7.08, t (82) = −1.86, p = 0.067, r = 0.20). Univariate analyses showed an increase between pre- and post-training for WM capacity within MB + ( t (22) = −3.34, p & lt; 0.05) only. There was no difference between groups pre- and post-training regarding near and far transfer. Univariate analyses showed improved visuospatial learning within MB + ( t (21) = −3.8, p & lt; 0.05), improved processing speed ( t (23) = 2.19, p & lt; 0.05) and n -back performance ( t (23) = 2.12, p & lt; 0.05) in MB, and improved n -back performance ( t (25) = 3.83, p & lt; 0.001) in the dual n -back training. Interpretation : A model-based WM training including filtering efficacy may be a promising approach to increase WM capacity and needs further investigation in randomized controlled studies.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1663-4365
DOI:
10.3389/fnagi.2021.682474
DOI:
10.3389/fnagi.2021.682474.s001
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Frontiers Media SA
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2558898-9
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