A pilot investigation of effectiveness of a memory-improvement program on subjective and objective memory in healthy young adults: Directions for future research

Abstract

Previous research on the effectiveness of memory-improvement programs has typically included older adults or those with cognitive impairments. Results from these studies have been difficult to generalise to other populations and yielded inconsistent results, partly depending on the type of memory measured. Given that the effectiveness of memory-improvement programs on young healthy adults is not well understood, the aim of this study was to evaluate a commercially available memory training program, Memory Power, marketed as effective for all age groups, and all types of memory. Twenty, first-year psychology students were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Memory Power or Control. It was hypothesised that Memory Power participants would have significantly increased objective memory performance (RAVLT, RMBT), subjective memory functioning (EMQ, SMQ), and reported use of prospective memory aids (MAQ) at Follow-Up, than Controls. Multiple 2 × 2 mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to assess training effects between Memory Power and Control groups, across Baseline and Follow-Up sessions. No significant group differences were found in subjective memory functioning, or reported use of prospective memory aids. Findings on objective memory function were mixed; no significant effects were found with the (RAVLT), but significant effects (a group main effect and a group by session interaction) were found using RMBT, suggesting improved performance on this measure of memory function for trained participants. The implications of these results for memory-improvement programs more broadly are discussed.