What is it about?
We compared the effectiveness of cognitive training techniques including general ability training using technology-based videogame interaction and specific instruction aimed at improving knowledge of driving and finances and fraud. Our primary outcomes included fraud detection, driving hazard perception, speed of processing, self-reported ability to carry out instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and other outcomes such as reasoning, numeracy, IADL task performance.
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Why is it important?
We found little or no benefit for 20 hours of cognitive training relative to an active control puzzle solving condition either short term or after a year in terms of improvement in cognitive abilities such as speed of processing, memory performance. Knowledge training had a weak benefit immediately following training that dissipated a year later. It appears that ~20 hr of cognitive training has little impact on the ability of aging adults to maintain cognition or improve functioning on daily living activities such as driving or managing finances and avoiding fraud.
Perspectives
The strategy of trying to boost general cognitive abilities through cognitive training to promote independence in old age may be a dead end because it generally does not transfer to everyday activities such as driving performance, management of finances. Specific training to avoid catastrophic events that threaten independence such as vehicle crashes, financial fraud, may be a better strategy based on findings of narrow transfer for training. Another approach would be to augment abilities of aging adults using smart technology that can help them avoid disasters, such as use of advanced driver assistance systems in vehicles (though training needs to be provided) or deployment of AI systems to oversee financial transactions.
William G. Chase Professor of Psychology Neil Charness
Florida State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Relative effectiveness of general versus specific cognitive training for aging adults., Psychology and Aging, March 2022, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/pag0000663.
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