Efeitos de um programa de treino da memória de curto prazo em idosos saudáveis

Abstract

Population aging is a global reality and memory is very sensitive to effects of aging. The cognitive deficit has important implications for autonomy, independence and quality of life for theelderly. This study originated in observation of researcher who detected a large number of memory complaints (MC) related to short-term memory (STM), in spontaneous demand care, in her work as a psychologist in a center for elderly, in Juiz de Fora, MG. Objective: The general objective of this research was to test effects of a Short Term Memory Training Programon improvement of this type of memory in healthy elderly people. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive, longitudinal, quasi-experimental study, with a sample of94 elderly people, between 60 and 90 years old, and average age of70.3, SD of ± 7.3. An intervention was carried out in years 2018 and 2019, on 3 levels: Experimental Group (EG = 33), Short Term Memory Training; Active Control Group (ACG = 28), Training with Socializing Activities;Passive Control Group (PCG = 33), without any training. It included pre-test, training, post-test, comparing data of 3 groups. The instruments used for data collection were: Sociodemographic Questionnaire; MAC-Q; WAIS/digit extension, forward and backward orders; TEPIC-M; Corsi, forward and backward orders; Trails, A and B; Stroop, WHOQOL-Bref, analyzed by the statistical software IBM SPSS, 20.0, with a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). The results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (quantitative variables) and absolute and relative frequency (%) (qualitative variables). To test group differences, one-way ANOVA (quantitative variables) and Chi-Square test (χ²) (qualitative variables) were used. To assess effect of training programs on STM, ANOVA 3 x 2 repeated measures was used. The assumptions of normality of data were evaluated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the sphericity of variance-covariance matrix by Mauchly test and the assumption of equality ofvariances by Levene test. The analysis of F statistic was performed with Pillai trace and the correction factor Epsilon by Huynh-Feldt was used, when sphericity assumption was violated. Results: The measured group interaction showed statistical significance in MAC-Q and WAIS. In MAC-Q, Measure Effect F = 21.50, p < 0.0001 and measure group interaction F = 3.762, p = 0.03 showed statistical significance and confirmed H1 which supposes reduction of MC of the participants of the EGin relation to ACG and PCG,and H2 which supposes the reduction of MC of participants of ACG in relation to PCG. In WAIS, Measure Effect F = 5.661, p < 0.02 and measure group interaction F = 5.732, p = 0.01 showed statistical significance and confirmed H3, which supposes increase inscores of STM and attention tests of EG compared to ACG and PCG scoreswhich assumes an increase in scores of MCP tests and attention of GCA participants compared to those of GCP.The analysis of relative improvement of MCshowed significant differences between groups (F2.91 = 3.282; p = 0.04), comparing pre and post-training. Also group effect showing better performance in 4 of the 5 cognitive measures (WAIS, TEPIC-M, Trails, Stroop) in post-workout, confirmedH3. There was a negative correlation between age and Corsi, with statistical significance. Conclusion: Cognitive training had beneficial effects, being an important strategy to preserve elderly's memory and functionality. Observed effects suggest brain plasticity in old age. The association of psychological status with greater complaints and worse memory assessment indicated discomfort and anxiety due to dissatisfaction with memory itself. Training with Socializing Activities had beneficial effects on memory,and socialization of elderly.