Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) is defined as having decline in everyday memory function, but being able to remain independent in carrying out functional activities. This is in contrast to dementia, which is diagnosed when someone has cognitive deficits significant enough to cause impaired social or occupational functioning. A majority of people identified as having MCI develop dementia within 3-6 years.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care (Troyer et al., 2007*) sought to explore the efficacy of a memory intervention program in effecting memory-related behavioral changes as measured by the acquisition and application of everyday memory strategies. They first identified individuals with aMCI, using criteria that included the presence of a new memory complaint, objective evidence of memory impairment, normal general cognitive functioning, no substantial interference with normal activities, and no dementia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the waitlist-control group by a coin toss. The intervention was comprised of 10 two-hour groups sessions presented over 6 months. Participants were taught about how MCI differs from normal aging and dementia, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease for persons with MCI. They were given information regarding how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, stress, and mental and physical activities can affect memory function, and they participated in focused memory intervention training. They were also given weekly assignments to complete at home and then hand in, and were asked to document when they completed each exercise to assess compliance.
The researchers found that those who participated in the intervention (as contrasted with those in the waitlist-control group) showed significantly better knowledge and use of appropriate memory strategies, both in the laboratory and in their everyday lives. In addition, the newly learned behaviors were found to be maintained at a 3-month follow-up.
Educating the participants about their diagnosis of aMCI and its implication for future development of Alzheimer’s disease may have increased their motivation to learn the strategies, which were aimed at memory compensation. The researchers believe that a promising approach to preventing progression of aMCI to Alzheimer’s dementia would be to preserve everyday functioning. One way to do this is to learn memory-related strategies and apply them to everyday behaviors. For example, in this study, participants learned to use a memory book to help better manage their appointments, consistent logical locations to decrease losing track of items, and written notes to have more successful shopping trips. They found that those who attended more sessions and completed more at-home assignments were more likely to change their behaviors, suggesting that behavioral change requires continued maintenance of the new behaviors.
The researchers concluded that the successful implementation of the memory strategies learned through this intervention may assist these individuals with aMCI to maintain functional independence longer and thereby delay the progression to Alzheimer’s disease.
* Troyer, Angela K., Murphy, Kelly J., Anderson, Nicole D., Moscovitch, Morris and Craik, Fergus I. M. (2007). Changing everyday memory behaviour in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A randomised controlled trial, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18:1, 65 – 88. DOI: 10.1080/09602010701409684