In 1998–1999, investigators enrolled 2,802 adults aged 65 and older and randomized them to memory, reasoning, speed-of-processing training, or to a no-training control group. Training in each active arm included up to ten sessions of 60–75 minutes across five to six weeks; half the participants were randomized to receive up to four booster sessions at 11 and 35 months.
For the 20-year follow-up, researchers reviewed Medicare data from 2,021 participants (72% of the original group) between 1999 and 2019. The sample was similar to the original trial: average age 74, about three-fourths women, and 70% white. About three-fourths of participants died during follow-up, at an average age of 84.
Investigators found that participants who completed speed training with boosters had fewer dementia diagnoses than those in the control arm. This difference was statistically significant; other training types did not show a significant reduction. Authors suggested the adaptive nature of speed training and implicit learning may explain the long-term benefit.
Difficult words
- investigator — people who study events or conduct researchinvestigators
- enroll — to join a study or official groupenrolled
- randomize — to assign people by chance to groupsrandomized
- booster — an extra training meeting after initial sessionsbooster sessions
- follow-up — later check to see what happened
- diagnosis — identification of a disease or conditiondiagnoses
- dementia — loss of memory and thinking skills
- significant — large enough to be unlikely due to chancestatistically significant
- adaptive — able to change or respond to conditions
- learning — learning that happens without conscious effortimplicit learning
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Discussion questions
- Do you think short training with later booster sessions could help older adults you know? Why or why not?
- How might speed-of-processing training help in everyday life for older people?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of studies that follow people for many years?
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