Memory specificity training can improve working and prospective memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

ABSTRACT Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is one of the cognitive profiles of aging. OBJECTIVE: In this study, Memory Specificity Training (MEST) was used as cognitive training in patients with amnestic MCI to understand the effectiveness of the intervention on memory dimensions. METHODS: Twenty patients that met the criteria for amnestic MCI were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=10) or control (n=10) groups. The experimental group received five sessions of training on memory specificity while the participants in the control group took part in two general placebo sessions. Participants were assessed before, immediately after, and three months after, the treatment using the Autobiographical Memory Test, the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, the Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Results from both post-test and follow-up treatment indicated that MEST improves working and prospective memory (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings support the effectiveness of MEST for MCI patients as a viable cognitive intervention. Also, the findings have implications for the role of brain plasticity in the effectiveness of this intervention.

摘要
遗忘型轻度认知障碍（Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment，MCI）是衰老相关的认知表型之一。
研究目的：本研究以记忆特异性训练（Memory Specificity Training，MEST）作为遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者的认知干预手段，旨在探究该干预措施对记忆维度的改善效果。
研究方法：本研究纳入符合诊断标准的遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者20例，采用随机分组法将其分为实验组（n=10）与对照组（n=10）。实验组接受5次记忆特异性训练，对照组则参与2次通用安慰剂对照训练。分别于干预前、干预即刻后以及干预后3个月，采用自传体记忆测验（Autobiographical Memory Test）、前瞻与回溯记忆问卷（Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire）、韦氏记忆量表（Wechsler Memory Scale）以及医院焦虑抑郁量表（Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale）对受试者进行评估。本研究采用方差分析对数据进行统计分析。
研究结果：即刻测评与随访阶段的结果均显示，记忆特异性训练可显著改善受试者的工作记忆与前瞻记忆（p<0.05）。
研究结论：本研究结果证实，记忆特异性训练作为一种可行的认知干预手段，对遗忘型轻度认知障碍患者具有确切干预效果。此外，本研究结果还为脑可塑性在该干预效果中的作用机制提供了研究启示。