Development of a cognitive training program for the elderly

Abstract Introduction: Plasticity in intellectual functioning has been the target of significant research investment. Among non-pharmacological interventions, cognitive training appears as a promising option for delaying the effects of aging on cognition. Objective: The present study describes the procedures of a cognitive training program for healthy Brazilian elderly persons (without diagnosis of dementia). Method: Cognitive tasks for the training of attention, processing speed, episodic memory and working memory were carried out. The program training was performed over 12 individual sessions, and included an Instruction Book, a Stimulus Book and Protocol Record. To assess the effects of training, five subtests of the WAIS-III test were used: Picture completion, Coding, Arithmetic, Matrix Reasoning and Digit Span. The cognitive training program was tested with 15 individuals, divided into an experimental group (EG), which received training, and a control group (CG). The EG was formed of seven participants, aged between 70 and 82 years (M=73.57, SD=4.11) and with an average schooling of 5.8 years (SD=1.02). The CG was formed by 8 participants, aged 69-77 years (M=74.00, SD=4.58), and who had an average schooling of 2.88 years (SD=2.58). Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a training effect for three subtests: Coding: [F(1)=5.40, p=0.03, η2G=0.09], Arithmetic [F(1)=9.03, p=0.01, η2G=0.004] and Picture completion [F(1)=8.01, p=0.01, η2G=0.19]. There were no gain effects for Matrix Reasoning [F(1)=1.43, p=0.25] and Digit Span [F(1)=10.04, p