Understanding Individual Differences in Working Memory Training and Transfer in Older Adults

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cognitive Change

In brief

The present study investigates how individual differences in cognitive processing contribute to the efficacy of working memory training programs in an older adult population. In a randomized crossover design, different types of working memory training interventions will be evaluated within the same participants. Adding game-like elements to working memory training programs can increase motivation and engagement, which can increase learning. However this process, termed gamification, adds sensory complexity that can lead to increased mental load and/or distraction in older adults. Investigators hypothesize that gamification of training tasks will be beneficial to some and counterproductive to other participants. The investigators will test two models; the first assumes that participants with difficulty inhibiting distracting information will show better learning and transfer when assigned to non-gamified training, whereas those with more distractor tolerance will show better learning and transfer when assigned to gamified training. The second model states that the outcomes of the intervention will be better predicted by performance on measures of general cognitive ability. In a separate study, the investigators will compare working memory training that contains rich, multisensory information with a training program that contains only visual information. Here they will also test two models; the first assumes that participants with difficulty binding two stimulus streams will show better learning and transfer when assigned to visual-only working memory training, whereas participants who do not have this difficulty will show better learning and transfer when assigned to multisensory working memory training. The second model states that the outcomes of the intervention will be better predicted by performance on measures of general cognitive ability.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT05396586
Run by: Northeastern University
People needed: 313
Starts: 2022-03-17
Expected to finish: 2025-03-05
Last updated by the study team: 2025-03-12

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

50-85 years of age
Able to understand and speak English and follow study procedures
Does not have a psychological or neurological condition that would prevent being able to give consent to participate
Not currently involved in any other cognitive or memory training studies

You may not qualify if…

Formal diagnosis of dementia or other neurological disease, including Mild cognitive impairment.
A final total score below 17 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Blind (telephone) version.
Score of 10 or more on the Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire (GAD7; Spitzer et al., 2006, Archives of Internal Medicine), indicating presence of moderate or severe anxiety
Score of 9 or more on Geriatric depression scale (GDS15; Yesavage et al., 1982) indicating presence of moderate or severe depression
Abnormal visual acuity prohibitive of tablet-based training.
Physical handicap (motor or perceptual) that would impede training procedures.
Medical illness requiring treatment and/or significant absences during the study timeline.
Current evidence or 2-yr history of seizures, focal brain lesion, or head injury with loss of consciousness.
Current alcohol consumption exceeds 14 drinks per week.
Self-reported illicit drug use.

Where it is running

University of California, Irvine — Irvine, California, United States
University of California, Riverside — Riverside, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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