[Cognitive effects of combined memory and psychomotor training in elderly adults]

Abstract

Introduction: As part of the normal ageing process, cognitive deterioration clearly takes place in memory, attention and the information processing speed (IPS). Among the intervention strategies commonly used, combined programmes like those involving memory and psychomotor skills have the greatest beneficial effects on cognition in the short and long term.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of a combined memory and psychomotor training programme entitled 'Independence in Older age' (SIMA) on the cognitive performance of a population sample of healthy elderly adults.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 elderly adults (49 in the intervention group and 46 in the control group) before and after a 20-session training programme. Both intergroup (intervention group versus control group) and intragroup (each group individually) cognitive performance was analysed. The two groups were paired by age, sex and schooling.

Results: The intergroup analysis following the training showed statistically and clinically significant differences in two IPS variables: conflict and interference in the colour-word test, which had a size effect of -1.31 and -1.38, respectively; the performance of the group of trained elderly adults was better than that of the controls. Likewise, in the intragroup analysis significant differences were found in these two variables in the group that received the intervention, with a size effect of -1.27 and -1.15.

Conclusion: Findings show positive effects of combined SIMA memory and psychomotor training, especially in selective attention and the IPS with a healthy elderly adult population.