1. Autobiographical recall training in elderly adults with subjective memory complaint: a pilot study
- Author
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Grossi, Dario, Postiglione, Alfredo, Schettini, Bruno, Trojano, Luigi, Barbarulo, Anna Maria, Giugliano, Valentina, Ambron, Elisabetta, and Aiello, Assunta
- Subjects
Aged -- Psychological aspects ,Aged -- Training ,Memory, Disorders of -- Prevention ,Health ,Psychology and mental health - Abstract
Subjective memory complaint is a self-reported memory impairment which affects elderly people. This problem does not interfere with daily living activities but could decrease quality of life. This study's purpose was to verify whether a specific, newly developed, autobiographical recall training could modify self perception of memory of subjects with subjective memory complaint. Seven elderly subjects (4 women and 3 men: mean age 65.5 yr., SD = 11) with such complaint, evidenced through a specific questionnaire, attended the training course and were prospectively assessed on standard neuropsychological tests, depressive symptomatology, and self-perception of memory. Self-perception of memory, as assessed by scores on a formalized questionnaire, improved significantly after the training, while depressive symptoms did not change. Neuropsycjological performances were normal before and after the training, but a statistically significant improvement was observed only on the phonological fluency test. Thus the present pilot study suggested that the training may be effective in improving self perception of memory and metamnestic capacity in elderly people with subjective memory complaints but not in changing subjects' depressive symptoms. This requires replication of this work with a much larger sample so statistical power is adequate.
- Published
- 2007