Effects of working memory training on cognition in healthy older adults: A systematic review

ABSTRACT. The working memory (WM) training in older adults can benefit their cognition. However, there is a dearth of literature reviews on the subject. Objective: This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the effects of WM training on the cognition of healthy older adults, in individual and group interventions reported in the literature. Methods: This is a systematic review involving a qualitative analysis of publications on the SciELO, LILACS, and MEDLINE databases carried out between March and June 2021. Results: A total of 47 studies were identified and analyzed, comprising 40 in older adults only and 7 comparing older and younger adults, investigating individual or group WM training or other types of intervention focused on WM effects. Conclusions: Both individual and group intervention contributed to the maintenance and/or improvement of cognition in older adults exploiting brain plasticity to promote mental health and prevent cognitive problems that can negatively impact quality of life of this group.

摘要：老年群体的工作记忆（Working Memory, WM）训练可对其认知功能产生积极影响，但目前该主题下的综述类文献较为匮乏。研究目的：本研究旨在探究并评估文献中报道的、以个体与团体干预形式开展的工作记忆训练对健康老年人认知功能的影响。研究方法：本研究为一项系统综述，于2021年3月至6月期间对收录于SciELO、LILACS及MEDLINE数据库的相关文献开展定性分析。研究结果：最终共识别并分析47项研究，其中40项仅纳入老年群体，7项对比了老年与青年成年人，研究内容涵盖个体或团体工作记忆训练，以及其他聚焦工作记忆效应的干预手段。研究结论：无论是个体干预还是团体干预，均可通过利用大脑可塑性促进老年人的心理健康、预防可能对该群体生活质量造成负面影响的认知障碍，从而维持并/或改善老年人的认知功能。