Ageing, Cognition - Other
Conditions
Keywords
memory training, mnemonics, cognition, work
Brief summary
With the aging of the Canadian population, older workers are accounting for more and more of the working-age population. Despite recent interest in cognitive training, there are currently no validated programs that specifically target individuals in the work force. The investigators will conduct a small-scale randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the previously developed Memory at Work program. The investigators will recruit 60 individuals and randomly assign them to the active intervention or a control intervention. The investigators will examine outcomes related to knowledge, behavioral change, self-efficacy, objective memory, and workplace productivity. The investigators expect larger improvements on these measures in the active relative to the control group.
Detailed description
This is a pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial. Participants who meet eligibility criteria will undergo baseline testing that involves completing questionnaires and objective cognitive tests. Participants will then be randomly assigned (by coin toss) to the intervention or control group. After participating in their respective workshops, both groups will undergo immediate post-testing and 1-month follow-up post testing. After the final assessment, the control group will be given the opportunity to participate in the intervention workshop. No further testing of this group will occur, as there will no longer be a comparable control group.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMemory training
The Memory at Work program is a 4-hour classroom-based workshop that is led by a professional trainer. The format of the program is experiential, with a heavy focus on discussion, self-discovery, and hands-on use of trained skills. Specific memory compensation techniques are trained. Training consists of an explanation of each technique (i.e., how and when to use it, the science behind the technique) and ample opportunities for hands-on use of the strategies.
BEHAVIORALControl Workshop
The control workshop consists of a 4-hour program that will train techniques for successfully completing Sudoku, word, and logic puzzles. Like the experimental intervention, the control workshop will be engaging and challenging, and will involve a combination of individual and group activities.
Sponsors
Cogniciti Inc.
Baycrest
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Currently employed * Between ages 30-65 * Fluent in English language
Exclusion criteria
* A severe head injury, epilepsy or other neurological disorder * Currently unemployed * Evidence of significant psychiatric disorder/use of psychotropic medications * Evidence of substance abuse
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Memory related knowledge and behaviour | 6 weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Improved workplace productivity | 6 weeks |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed