A Brief Report Investigating Subjective and Objective Memory Pre- and Post-Memory Training in 70- to 96-Year-Old Individuals with Mild Memory Deficit

Peter A. Magaro, Bruce Brotter, Mariyam Jalees

Memory Training Centers of America, New York, NY, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/aar.2015.44013                

Abstract

Subjective memory impairment is a major complaint among older adults; however, research is conflicting regarding the relationship between subjective memory impairment and objectively measured memory loss. Here, individuals with mild memory impairment completed the memory subscale of the Cognistat as a measure of objective memory, and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MCQ) as a measure of subjective memory, prior to and following a 3-month memory training program. Results revealed that individuals with more, compared with fewer, memory complaints performed worse on the Cognistat. Additionally, increased Cognistat performance fol-lowing the memory training procedure was associated with decreased MCQ measured complaints. There was suggestive evidence that the memory training procedure improved memory, and thus future research is warranted. These findings imply that older, memory-impaired, adults, despite their memory impairment, are indeed able to judge, and may be accurately concerned with, the extent of their own memory loss. It should be noted that serious statistical limitations here indicate the need for replication to confirm the validity of the findings.

Keywords

Older Adult, Subjective Memory Impairment, MMD, Cognistat, Memory Training, Memory

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Hilbert, N.M., Niederehe, G., Kahn, R.L. and Zarit, S.H. (1975) Memory Complaint and Impairment in the Aged: The Effect of Depression and Altered Brain Function. Archives of General Psychiatry, 32, 1569-1573. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1975.01760300107009
[2]	Fischer, P., Bauer, P., Tragl, K., Weissgram, S., Jungwirth, S. and Kirchmeyr, W. (2004) Subjective Memory Complaints and Objective Memory Impairment in the Vienna-Transdanube Aging Community. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52, 263-268. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52066.x
[3]	Kohout, F.J., O’Hara, M.W., Wallace, R.B., Lemke, J.H. and Hinrichs, J.V. (1986) Memory Complaint and Memory Performance in the Depressed Elderly. Psychology and Aging, 1, 208-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.1.3.208
[4]	Larabee, G.J. and Levin, H.S. (1986) Memory Self-Ratings and Objective Test Performance in a Normal Elderly Sample. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 8, 275-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01688638608401318
[5]	Flicker, C., Ferris, S.H. and Reisberg, B. (1993) A Longitudinal Study of Cognitive Function in Elderly Persons with Subjective Memory Complaints. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41, 1029-1032. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1993.tb06448.x
[6]	Lam, L.C.W., Tam, C.W.C., Chiu, H.F.K. and Lui, V.W.C. (2005) Subjective Memory Complaints in Chinese Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s Disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20, 876-882. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.1370
[7]	Zelinski, E.M., Gilewski, M.J. and Anthony-Bergstone, C.R. (1990) Memory Functioning Questionnaire. Psychology and Aging, 5, 388-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.5.3.388
[8]	Schneck, M.K., Reisberg, B. and Ferris, S.H. (1982) An Overview of Current Concepts of Alzheimer’s Disease. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 165-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/ajp.139.2.165
[9]	Chang, H.J. (2010) Prediction of Dementia by Subjective Memory Impairment: Effects of Severity and Temporal Association with Cognitive Impairment. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 303, 2119.
[10]	Van Oijen, M., Hofman, A., de Jong, F.J., Koudstaal, P.J. and Breteler, M.M.B. (2007) Subjective Memory Complaints, Education, and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 3, 92-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2007.01.011
[11]	Waldorff, F.B., Waldemar, G., Siersma, V. and Vogel, A. (2012) Subjective Memory Complaints in General Practice Predicts Future Dementia: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27, 1180-1188. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.3765
[12]	Erickson, R.C. and Howieson, D. (1986) The Clinician’s Perspective: Measuring Change and Treatment Effectiveness. In: Poon, L.W., Ed., Handbook for Clinical Memory Assessment of Older Adults, American Psychological Association, Hyattsville, 69-80.
[13]	Valentijn, S.A.M., van Hooren, S.A.H., Bosma, H., Touw, D.M., Jolles, J. and van Boxtel, M.P.J. (2005) The Effect of Two Types of Memory Training on Subjective and Objective Memory Performance in Healthy Individuals Aged 55 Years and Older: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Patient Education and Counseling, 57, 106-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2004.05.002
[14]	Floyd, M. and Scogin, F. (1997) Effects of Memory Training on the Subjective Memory Functioning and Mental Health of Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. Psychology and Aging, 12, 150-161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.12.1.150
[15]	Folstein, S.E., McHugh, P. R. and Folstein, M.F. (1975) Mini-Mental State. A Practical Method for Grading the Cognitive State of Patients for the Clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12, 189-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
[16]	Jurica, P.J., Leitten, C.L. and Mattis, S. (2001) DRS-2: Dementia Rating Scale-2: Professional Manual. Psychological Assessment Resources. California.
[17]	American Psychiatric Association (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th Edition, American Psychiatric Association.
[18]	Magaro, P., Brotter, B. and Jalees, M. (2015) Nine Months of Memory Training Increases Cognistat Measured Memory in 79-89 Year-Old Mild Cognitively Impaired Individuals. Advances in Aging Research, 4, 79-88. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/aar.2015.43010
[19]	Crook, T.H. and Adderly, M.H. (1998) The Memory Cure. Pocket Books, New York.
[20]	Crook, T.H., Feher, E.P. and Larrabee, G.J. (1992) Assessment of Memory Complaint in Age-Associated Memory Impairment: The MAC-Q. International Psychogeriatrics, 4, 165-176. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1041610292000991
[21]	Crook, T.H. and Larrabee, G.J. (1990) A Self-Rating Scale for Evaluating Memory in Everyday Life. Psychology and Aging, 5, 48-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.5.1.48
[22]	Mueller, J., Kiernan, R. and Langston, J.W. (2001) Manual for the Cognistat. Fairfax. The Northern California Neurobehavioral Group Inc., San Francisco.
[23]	Moraff’s Concentration Game, The World of Games (2003) Palm Coast, FL.
[24]	Improve Your Memory (2001) Think Active, LTD Hemel Hempstead, Herts, UK.
[25]	Brain Builder (2003) Advanced Brain Technologies. Ogden, Utah.
[26]	Think Fast (2003) Website No Longer Available.
[27]	Train Your Memory (2004) http://www.happyneuron.com
[28]	Magsi, H. and Malloy, T. (2005) Under Recognition of Cognitive Impairment in Assisted Living Facilities. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53, 295-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53117.x