An investigation of response and stimulus modality transfer effects after dual-task training in younger and older

Maxime Lussier, Christine Gagnon, Louis Bherer, Maxime Lussier, Christine Gagnon, Louis Bherer

Abstract

It has been shown that dual-task training leads to significant improvement in dual-task performance in younger and older adults. However, the extent to which training benefits to untrained tasks requires further investigation. The present study assessed (a) whether dual-task training leads to cross-modality transfer in untrained tasks using new stimuli and/or motor responses modalities, (b) whether transfer effects are related to improved ability to prepare and maintain multiple task-set and/or enhanced response coordination, (c) whether there are age-related differences in transfer effects. Twenty-three younger and 23 older adults were randomly assigned to dual-task training or control conditions. All participants were assessed before and after training on three dual-task transfer conditions; (1) stimulus modality transfer (2) response modality transfer (3) stimulus and response modalities transfer task. Training group showed larger improvement than the control group in the three transfer dual-task conditions, which suggests that training leads to more than specific learning of stimuli/response associations. Attentional costs analyses showed that training led to improved dual-task cost, only in conditions that involved new stimuli or response modalities, but not both. Moreover, training did not lead to a reduced task-set cost in the transfer conditions, which suggests some limitations in transfer effects that can be expected. Overall, the present study supports the notion that cognitive plasticity for attentional control is preserved in late adulthood.

Keywords: aging; cognitive plasticity; cognitive training; divided attention; executive function; transfer.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean reaction time (ms) for older and younger adults in the three trial types [single pure ( SP), single mixed (SM), and dual mixed (DM)], as a function training sessions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean reaction time (ms) for older and younger adults in the three trial types [single pure (SP), single mixed (SM), and dual mixed (DM)], as a function of pre- and post-test sessions, for the trained dual-task condition (first panel), the response modality transfer (R-MT) dual-task condition (second panel), the stimulus modality transfer dual-task condition (S-MT) (third panel), and the stimuli–response modality transfer (RS-MT) dual-task condition (last panel).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean task-set cost and dual-task cost in older and younger adults at pre-test and post-test sessions, for the trained dual-task condition (first panel), the response modality transfer (R-MT) dual-task condition (second panel), the stimulus modality transfer (S-MT) dual-task condition (third panel), and the stimuli–response modality transfer (SR-MT) dual-task condition (last panel).

References

    1. Barnett S. M., Ceci S. J. (2002). When and where do we apply what we learn? A taxonomy for far transfer. Psychol. Bull. 128, 612–63710.1037/0033-2909.128.4.612
    1. Basak C., Boot W. R., Voss M. W., Kramer A. F. (2008). Can training in a real-time strategy video game attenuate cognitive decline in older adults? Psychol. Aging 23, 765–77710.1037/a0013494
    1. Bherer L., Kramer A. F., Peterson M. S., Colcombe S., Erickson K., Becic E. (2005). Training effects on dual-task performance: are there age-related differences in plasticity of attentional control? Psychol. Aging 20, 695–70910.1037/0882-7974.20.4.695
    1. Bherer L., Kramer A. F., Peterson M. S., Colcombe S., Erickson K., Becic E. (2006). Testing the limits of cognitive plasticity in older adults: application to attentional control. Acta Psychol. (Amst.) 123, 261–27810.1016/j.actpsy.2006.01.005
    1. Bherer L., Kramer A. F., Peterson M. S., Colcombe S., Erickson K., Becic E. (2008). Transfer effects in task-set cost and dual-task cost after dual-task training in older and younger adults: further evidence for cognitive plasticity in attentional control in late adulthood. Exp. Aging Res. 34, 188–21910.1080/03610730802070068
    1. Bohnen N., Jolles J., Twijnstra A. (2002). Neuropsychological deficits in patients with persistent symptoms six months after mild head injury. Neurosurgery 30, 692–695; discussion 695–696.10.1227/00006123-199205000-00007
    1. Broman A. T., West S. K., Munoz B., Bandeen-Roche K., Rubin G. S., Turano K. A. (2004). Divided visual attention as a predictor of bumping while walking: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 45, 2955–296010.1167/iovs.04-0219
    1. Cabeza R. (2001). Cognitive neuroscience of aging: contributions of functional neuroimaging. Scand. J. Psychol. 42, 277–28610.1111/1467-9450.00237
    1. Cabeza R., Daselaar S. M., Dolcos F., Prince S. E., Budde M., Nyberg L. (2004). Task-independent and task-specific age effects on brain activity during working memory, visual attention and episodic retrieval. Cereb. Cortex 14, 364–37510.1093/cercor/bhg133
    1. Cassavaugh N. D., Kramer A. F. (2009). Transfer of computer-based training to simulated driving in older adults. Appl. Ergon. 40, 943–95210.1016/j.apergo.2009.02.001
    1. Cepeda N. J., Kramer A. F., Gonzalez de Sather J. C. (2001). Changes in executive control across the life span: examination of task-switching performance. Dev. Psychol. 37, 715–73010.1037/0012-1649.37.5.715
    1. Chaparro A., Wood J. M., Carberry T. (2005). Effects of age and auditory and visual dual tasks on closed-road driving performance. Optom. Vis. Sci. 82, 747–75410.1097/01.opx.0000174724.74957.45
    1. Clay O. J., Wadley V. G., Edwards J. D., Roth D. L., Roenker D. L., Ball K. K. (2005). Cumulative meta-analysis of the relationship between useful field of view and driving performance in older adults: current and future implications. Optom. Vis. Sci. 82, 724–73110.1097/01.opx.0000175009.08626.65
    1. Dahlin E., Neely A. S., Larsson A., Backman L., Nyberg L. (2008a). Transfer of learning after updating training mediated by the striatum. Science 320, 1510–151210.1126/science.1155466
    1. Dahlin E., Nyberg L., Backman L., Neely A. S. (2008b). Plasticity of executive functioning in young and older adults: immediate training gains, transfer, and long-term maintenance. Psychol. Aging 23, 720–73010.1037/a0014296
    1. Davidson D. J., Zacks R. T., Williams C. C. (2003). Stroop interference, practice, and aging. Neuropsychol. Dev. Cogn. B Aging Neuropsychol. Cogn. 10, 85–9810.1076/anec.10.2.85.14463
    1. Davis S. W., Dennis N. A., Daselaar S. M., Fleck M. S., Cabeza R. (2008). Que PASA? The posterior-anterior shift in aging. Cereb. Cortex 18, 1201–120910.1093/cercor/bhm155
    1. Elke K., Begerow J., Oppermann H., Kramer U., Jermann E., Dunemann L. (1999). Determination of selected microbial volatile organic compounds by diffusive sampling and dual-column capillary GC-FID – a new feasible approach for the detection of an exposure to indoor mould fungi? J. Environ. Monit. 1, 445–45210.1039/a903034d
    1. Erickson K. I., Colcombe S. J., Wadhwa R., Bherer L., Peterson M. S., Scalf P. E., Kramer A. F. (2005). Neural correlates of dual-task performance after minimizing task-preparation. Neuroimage 28, 967–97910.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.06.047
    1. Erickson K. I., Colcombe S. J., Wadhwa R., Bherer L., Peterson M. S., Scalf P. E., Kramer A. F. (2007). Training-induced functional activation changes in dual-task processing: an fMRI study. Cereb. Cortex 17, 192–20410.1093/cercor/bhj137
    1. Folstein M. F., Folstein S. E., McHugh P. R. (1975). “Mini-mental state.” A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J. Psychiatr. Res. 12, 189–19810.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
    1. Glass J. M., Schumacher E. H., Lauber E. J., Zurbriggen E. L., Gmeindl L., Kieras D. E., Meyer D. E. (2000). Aging and the psychological refractory period: task-coordination strategies in young and old adults. Psychol. Aging 15, 571–59510.1037/0882-7974.15.4.571
    1. Green C. S., Bavelier D. (2008). Exercising your brain: a review of human brain plasticity and training-induced learning. Psychol. Aging 23, 692–70110.1037/a0014345
    1. Hartley A. A. (2001). Age differences in dual-task interference are localized to response-generation processes. Psychol. Aging 16, 47–5410.1037/0882-7974.16.1.47
    1. Hein G., Schubert T. (2004). Aging and input processing in dual-task situations. Psychol. Aging 19, 416–43210.1037/0882-7974.19.3.416
    1. Jaeggi S. M., Buschkuehl M., Jonides J., Perrig W. J. (2008). Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105, 6829–683310.1073/pnas.0801268105
    1. Karbach J., Kray J. (2009). How useful is executive control training? Age differences in near and far transfer of task-switching training. Dev. Sci. 12, 978–99010.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00846.x
    1. Kramer A. F., Larish J., Strayer D. L. (1995). Training for attentional control in a dual task setting: a comparison of young and old adults. J. Exp. Psychol. Appl. 1, 50–7610.1037/1076-898X.1.1.50
    1. Kramer A. F., Madden D. J. (2008). “Attention,” in The Handbook of Aging and Cognition, 3rd Edn, eds Craik F. I. M., Salthouse T. A. (New York: Psychology Press; ), 189–250
    1. Kray J., Eber J., Karbach J. (2008). Verbal self-instructions in task switching: a compensatory tool for action-control deficits in childhood and old age? Dev. Sci. 11, 223–23610.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00673.x
    1. Kray J., Eppinger B. (2006). Effects of associative learning on age differences in task-set switching. Acta Psychol. (Amst.) 123, 187–20310.1016/j.actpsy.2005.12.009
    1. Kray J., Lindenberger U. (2000). Adult age differences in task switching. Psychol. Aging 15, 126–14710.1037/0882-7974.15.1.126
    1. Lezak M. D., Howieson D. B., Loring D. W. (2004). Neuropsychological Assessment, 4th Edn. New York: Oxford University Press
    1. Li K. Z., Roudaia E., Lussier M., Bherer L., Leroux A., McKinley P. A. (2010). Benefits of cognitive dual-task training on balance performance in healthy older adults. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 65A, 1344–135210.1093/gerona/glq151
    1. Liepelt R., Strobach T., Frensch P., Schubert T. (2011). Improved intertask coordination after extensive dual-task practice. Q. J. Exp. Psychol. (Hove) 64, 1251–127210.1080/17470218.2010.543284
    1. Lovden M., Backman L., Lindenberger U., Schaefer S., Schmiedek F. (2010). A theoretical framework for the study of adult cognitive plasticity. Psychol. Bull. 136, 659–67610.1037/a0020080
    1. Mackay-Brandt A. (2011). Training attentional control in older adults. Neuropsychol. Dev. Cogn. B. Aging Neuropsychol. Cogn. 18, 432–45110.1080/13825585.2011.568046
    1. McDowd J. M., Shaw R. L. (2000). “Attention and aging: a functional perspective,” in The Handbook of Aging and Cognition, eds Craik F. I. M., Salthouse T. A. (Mahwah: Erlbaum; ), 221–292
    1. Owen A. M., Hampshire A., Grahn J. A., Stenton R., Dajani S., Burns A. S., Ballard C. G. (2010). Putting brain training to the test. Nature 465, 775–77810.1038/nature09042
    1. Reitan R. M. (1958). Validity of the trail making test as an indicator of organic brain damage. Percept. Mot. Skills 8, 271–27610.2466/PMS.8.7.271-276
    1. Schumacher E. H., Seymour T. L., Glass J. M., Fencsik D. E., Lauber E. J., Kieras D. E., Meyer D. E. (2001). Virtually perfect time sharing in dual-task performance: uncorking the central cognitive bottleneck. Psychol. Sci. 12, 101–10810.1111/1467-9280.00318
    1. Strobach T., Frensch P. A., Soutschek A., Schubert T. (2011). Investigation on the improvement and transfer of dual-task coordination skills. Psychol. Res. (in press).
    1. Strobach T., Liepelt R., Schubert T., Kiesel A. (2012). Task switching: effects of practice on switch and mixing costs. Psychol. Res. 76, 74–8310.1007/s00426-011-0323-x
    1. Thorell L. B., Lindqvist S., Nutley S. B., Bohlin G., Klingberg T. (2008). Training and transfer effects of executive functions in preschool children. Dev. Sci. 12, 106–11310.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00745.x
    1. Verghese J., Buschke H., Viola L., Katz M., Hall C., Kuslansky G., Lipton R. (2002). Validity of divided attention tasks in predicting falls in older individuals: a preliminary study. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 50, 1572–157610.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50415.x
    1. Verhaeghen P. (2000). “The interplay of growth and decline. Theoretical and empirical aspects of plasticity of intellectual and memory performance in normal old age,” in Cognitive Rehabilitation in Old Age, eds Hill R. D., Bäckman L., Neely A. S. (New York: Oxford University Press; ), 3–22
    1. Verhaeghen P. (2011). Aging and executive control: reports of a demise greatly exaggerated. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci. 20, 174–18010.1177/0963721411408772
    1. Verhaeghen P., Cerella J. (2002). Aging, executive control, and attention: a review of meta-analyses. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 26, 849–85710.1016/S0149-7634(02)00071-4
    1. Verhaeghen P., Steitz D. W., Sliwinski M. J., Cerella J. (2003). Aging and dual-task performance: a meta-analysis. Psychol. Aging 18, 443–46010.1037/0882-7974.18.3.443
    1. Voelcker-Rehage C., Alberts J. L. (2007). Effect of motor practice on dual-task performance in older adults. J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 62, P141–P14810.1093/geronb/62.3.P141
    1. Wechsler D. (1997). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition: Administration and Scoring Manual. San Antonio: The Psychological Corporation
    1. Zelinski E. M. (2009). Far transfer in cognitive training of older adults. Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. 27, 455–471

Source: PubMed

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

3
Subscribe