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Table 4 Prognostic factors for training improvement in verbal long-term memory

From: Prognostic factors for change in memory test performance after memory training in healthy older adults: a systematic review and outline of statistical challenges

Study

Test for outcome assessment

Dependent variable

Prognostic factor

Multiple regression

   

Age

Education

Sex

Neuropsychology

Imaging

Others

O'Hara et al. [9]

Number of words correctly recalled.

Post-test scores

Pre-test and change scores were integrated in regression.

 

Gain scores following training ↑ *

 

Length of training (short vs. long) ↑

Reported use of mnemonic at follow-up ↑ *

Type of pre-training (standard vs. comprehensive) ↓

Pre-training ↑ *

Brooks et al. [8]

Proper name recall task

Post-test scores

↑ *

  

Pre-test score →*

 

Pre-training * Length →

Length of training →

Pre-training →

McDougall et al. [40]

RBMT

Change score

Relative gains from beginning to end of training

x

   

Ethnical group x

Park et al. [7]

Elderly verbal learning test, delayed recall

However, results are reported forcognitive functionas outcome measure, which is not clearly defined

Change score

Post-pre

↓*

Pre-test scores of neuropsychological tests (Digit Span Test, Spatial Span Test, Categorical Fluency Test, short version of Boston Naming test) →

  

Pesce et al. [20]

RVLT

Change score

Post-pre

     

Change in dROMs ↓

Change in BAP ↑

Correlation analysis

Leahy, Ridout, Mushtaq et al., [25]

Autobiographical memory specificity

Change score

     

Independence

Depression

Functional limitations

Memory specificity

Andrewes et al. [26]

Laboratory Prospective Memory Assessment

Everyday Prospective Memory Assessment

Change score

   

NART →

Warrington Forced Choice Recognition →

RAVT →

 

Mattis dementia scale →

Depression →

Anschutz et al. [27]

Free recall of 2 lists

Recognition of 2 lists

No clear reporting.

No clear reporting.

Hill et al. [38]

Improvement in list recall

Change scores

   

MMSE ↑

  

Leahy, Ridout, and Holland, [24]

Autobiographical memory specificity.

Change scores

   

Baseline cognitive flexibility ↑

  

Group comparisons (ANOVA, t test)

McDougall et al. [40]

RBMT

Pre-test and Post-test scores calculated in an ANOVA.

x

x

   

Ethnicity x

O’Hara et al., [43]

List-learning test

Pre-test and Post-test scores calculated in an ANOVA.

     

Apolipoprotein E4 ↓

Mixed models

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  1. Studies are sorted according to the statistical method used for obtaining the prognostic factors
  2. ANOVA analysis of variance, MMSE Mini Mental State Examination, NART National Adult Reading Test, RAVL Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, RBMT Rivermead behavioural memory test, RVLT Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, dROMs reactive oxygen metabolites derivative compounds, BAP antioxidant levels; ↑ the higher the prognostic factor, the higher the improvement/positive correlation; ↓ the lower the prognostic factor, the higher the improvement/negative correlation; → no direction of effect reported; * significant; x unclear reporting