Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jan 10, 2019
Date Accepted: Mar 7, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Remediating Reduced Autobiographical Memory in Healthy Older Adults with the Computerized Memory Specificity Training (c-MeST): A Preliminary Investigation
ABSTRACT
Background:
The ability to retrieve specific autobiographical memories decreases with cognitive aging. This decline is clinically relevant due to its association with impairments in problem solving, daily functioning and also depression. A therapist-delivered, group training protocol, Memory Specificity Training (MeST), has been shown to enhance the retrieval of specific memories whilst ameliorating the impairments and negative outcomes associated with reduced specificity. The therapist-delivered nature of this intervention means it is relatively expensive to deliver and difficult for people with mobility impairments, such as older adults.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to test a novel, online computerised version of MeST (c-MeST).
Methods:
Twenty-one participants (13 females; Mage = 67.05, SD = 6.55) who experienced a deficit in retrieving specific autobiographical memory were trained with c-MeST. Memory specificity was assessed pre- and post- intervention, as well as secondary processes such as depressive symptoms, rumination and problem solving skills.
Results:
Memory specificity increased significantly after participants completed c-MeST (r = .57). Session-to-session scores indicated that AMS improved most from the online baseline assessment to the first online session. No significant change in symptoms or secondary processes such as problem solving skills was found.
Conclusions:
An online automated individual version of MeST is a feasible, low-cost intervention for reduced memory specificity in healthy older adults, future studies can now clarify the preventative impact of c-MeST in other at-risk samples with longer follow-ups.
Citation
