An Evaluation of the Memory at Work Program

With the aging of the Canadian population, older workers are accounting for more and more of the working-age population. Despite recent interest in cognitive training, there are currently no validated programs that specifically target individuals in the work force. The investigators will conduct a small-scale randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the previously developed Memory at Work program. The investigators will recruit 60 individuals and randomly assign them to the active intervention or a control intervention. The investigators will examine outcomes related to knowledge, behavioral change, self-efficacy, objective memory, and workplace productivity. The investigators expect larger improvements on these measures in the active relative to the control group.

Study Overview

• Status: Withdrawn
• Conditions: Ageing; Cognition - Other
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Memory training; Behavioral: Control Workshop

Detailed Description

This is a pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial. Participants who meet eligibility criteria will undergo baseline testing that involves completing questionnaires and objective cognitive tests. Participants will then be randomly assigned (by coin toss) to the intervention or control group. After participating in their respective workshops, both groups will undergo immediate post-testing and 1-month follow-up post testing. After the final assessment, the control group will be given the opportunity to participate in the intervention workshop. No further testing of this group will occur, as there will no longer be a comparable control group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6A 2E1
      • Baycrest

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently employed
• Between ages 30-65
• Fluent in English language

Exclusion Criteria:

• A severe head injury, epilepsy or other neurological disorder
• Currently unemployed
• Evidence of significant psychiatric disorder/use of psychotropic medications
• Evidence of substance abuse

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Memory Training	Behavioral: Memory training; The Memory at Work program is a 4-hour classroom-based workshop that is led by a professional trainer. The format of the program is experiential, with a heavy focus on discussion, self-discovery, and hands-on use of trained skills. Specific memory compensation techniques are trained. Training consists of an explanation of each technique (i.e., how and when to use it, the science behind the technique) and ample opportunities for hands-on use of the strategies.; Other Names: Memory at Work Program
Active Comparator: Control workshop	Behavioral: Control Workshop; The control workshop consists of a 4-hour program that will train techniques for successfully completing Sudoku, word, and logic puzzles. Like the experimental intervention, the control workshop will be engaging and challenging, and will involve a combination of individual and group activities.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Memory related knowledge and behaviour	6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Improved workplace productivity	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Baycrest
• Collaborators: Cogniciti Inc.
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Angela K. Troyer, PhD, Baycrest; Principal Investigator: Kelly J Murphy, PhD, Baycrest

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Troyer AK, Rich JB. Psychometric properties of a new metamemory questionnaire for older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2002 Jan;57(1):P19-27. doi: 10.1093/geronb/57.1.p19.
• Troyer AK, Murphy KJ, Anderson ND, Moscovitch M, Craik FI. Changing everyday memory behaviour in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2008 Jan;18(1):65-88. doi: 10.1080/09602010701409684.
• Troyer AK, Hafliger A, Cadieux MJ, Craik FI. Name and face learning in older adults: effects of level of processing, self-generation, and intention to learn. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006 Mar;61(2):P67-74. doi: 10.1093/geronb/61.2.p67.
• Troyer AK. Improving memory knowledge, satisfaction, and functioning via an education and intervention program for older adults. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition 8, 256-268, 2001.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 8, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 8, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): November 9, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 12, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 11, 2011
• Last Verified: October 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: cognition; memory training; work; mnemonics
• Other Study ID Numbers: REB1043; HTX 10-43 (Other Grant/Funding Number: HTX)