Improving Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Nontraditional Approaches
Abstract
This article considers two nontraditional approaches for developing interventions to improve cognition in older adults. Neither of these approaches relies on traditional explicit training of specific abilities in the laboratory. The first technique involves the activation of automatic processes through the formation of implementation intentions that enhance the probability that a desired action will be completed, such as remembering to take medications. The second involves experimentally studying the role of active social and cognitive engagement in improving cognition. We then consider methodological issues associated with the use of these novel techniques.
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Cognitive training targets specific domains with the expectation that improvements will be observed in that domain and potentially transfer to other cognitive tasks and domains.
“Cognitive training targets specific domains with the expectation that improvements will be observed in that domain, and potentially transfer to other cognitive tasks and domains.”
From Training Older Adults to Use Tablet Computers: Does It Enhance Cognitive Function? (2016) · cites this paper as Park, Gutchess, Meade, & Stine-Morrow, 2007
Cognitive engagement interventions rely on the stimulation provided by activities that are novel for an individual and are broadly demanding of executive function, episodic memory, and reasoning.
“In contrast, cognitive engagement interventions rely on the stimulation provided by activities that are novel for an individual and are broadly demanding of executive function, episodic memory, and reasoning (Park, Gutchess, Meade, & Stine-Morrow, 2007).”
From Training Older Adults to Use Tablet Computers: Does It Enhance Cognitive Function? (2016) · cites this paper as Park, Gutchess, Meade, & Stine-Morrow, 2007
The theoretical distinction of productive versus receptive engagement predicts that not all types of engagement are equally beneficial to cognition.
“this study was driven by the theoretical distinction of productive versus receptive engagement, which predicts that not all types of engagement are equally beneficial to cognition (Park et al., 2007).”
From Training Older Adults to Use Tablet Computers: Does It Enhance Cognitive Function? (2016) · cites this paper as Park et al., 2007
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“Although both groups would engage in sustained mental effort to acquire new skills (the defining feature of deliberate practice as described by Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Romer, 1993 ), the novices would acquire skills in new domains of knowledge and function (and stimulate new neural assemblies), whereas the experts w…”
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“Speed is an important mediator of age-related variance in a broad range of cognitive processes (Park et al., 2002; Salthouse, 1996 ), so it has been quite disappointing that improving speed through training has not resulted in a global improvement in a range of cognitive processes—improvements have thus far been limit…”
BackgroundImplementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans.
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“In a meta-analysis of the impact of implementation intentions on goal completion, Gollwitzer and Sheeran (2006) examined 94 effects and reported evidence for a medium to large effect size for the effect of implementation intentions, despite the inclusion of some unpublished studies (such inclusion would act to decreas…”
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The Impact of Sustained Engagement on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The Synapse Project
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“The study (referred to later in this article as the “Synapse Project”) was based on a theoretical distinction between “productive” and “receptive” engagement (Park et al., 2007).”
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- Authors
- Park, D. C., Gutchess, A. H., Meade, M. L., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- 1University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
- Venue
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2007-06-01
- Volume
- 62
- Issue
- Special_Issue_1
- Pages
- 45-52
- ISSN
- 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-5368
- OpenAlex
- W2128648170
- Cited by
- 159
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- cognitive function, older adults, implementation intentions, automatic processes, medication adherence, social engagement, cognitive engagement, cognitive aging
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Automatism, Cognition Disorders, Concept Formation, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Memory Disorders, Research Design, Self Care, Socioenvironmental Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Intention, Behavioral Research
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