Memory training improves cognitive ability in patients with dementia

Abstract

Clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include a variety of progressive cognitive deficits, particularly memory. Twenty-five patients with mild to moderate AD and their caregivers, who served as controls, participated in a 5 week memory training programme, with a 1 month follow up. Participants were taught strategies that included name-face rehearsal, effortful recall, and a significant event technique. Intervention efficacy was assessed on task specific tests, administered on a weekly basis, and general cognitive measures obtained at the first and last sessions of the intervention. During the memory training programme patients showed improved performance on the recall of names and faces, recognition memory after effortful processing of information, and significant events (p < .05). Controls consistently performed better than the AD group, making few errors. Standardised measures for the AD group improved on the Kendrick Digit Copy and had lower scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (p < .05). Caregivers also rated patients higher on the Memory Function Questionnaire (MFQ) (p < .05). Thus, a memory training programme can be beneficial for patients with mild to moderate AD to improve some aspects of memory and behaviour. Ultimately, behavioural interventions in conjunction with pharmacological therapies may optimise functional ability and provide a framework to further enhance cognitive function in patients with dementia.