Abstract

1. Background

Cognitive disorder is a crucial global issue. Memory impairment is often considered an early and crucial clinical manifestation of cognitive disorder. Previous studies have shown that memory-focused interventions can effectively mitigate memory function decline. However, in previous studies, the research targets were mostly healthy older adults; few meta-analyses on patients with cognitive disorders have been performed. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of memory-focused interventions on cognitive disorder through conducting a meta-analysis.

2. Methods

According to a systematical literature search strategy, using keywords and the MeSH terms to identify studies related to memory-focused interventions and cognitive disorders. The online electronic databases used in this study were PubMed, the Cochrane Library, OVID-Medline, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Embase (up to July 2015). Articles that met the inclusion criteria were included and a random effect model was used for a meta-analysis. The primary indicators were objective memory performance and subjective memory performance; the secondary indicators were immediate recall, delayed recall, global cognitive functions, and depression.

3. Results

A total of 19 research articles were included in this study. The results showed that memory-focused interventions had a medium–large effect on the objective and subjective memory performance of patients with cognitive disorders, a small–medium effect on delayed recall and global cognitive function, and a small effect on immediate recall (all p < .05). A subgroup analysis on objective memory performance that featured medium heterogeneity showed that the number of treatment weeks (≤5 weeks) could be adopted as a moderator variable for the effect of memory-focused interventions on objective memory performance. A metaregression analysis showed that various continuous variables were nonsignificantly correlated with effect size.

4. Conclusion

In this study, the meta-analysis results showed that memory-focused interventions effectively improved the objective and subjective memory performance of patients with cognitive disorders. Objective memory performance can serve as a reference for diagnosing cognitive disorders; the meaning of subjective memory performance and related factors is crucial for rapidly aging societies. We hope that memory-focused interventions can improve memory function and assist patients in overcoming their self-care problems resulting from memory impairment.

Authors

Kuei-Ru Chou

Author Details

Kuei-Ru Chou, PhD, RN

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Type

Poster

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Cognitive Disorders, Memory Training, Memory-focused Interventions

Conference Name

28th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Dublin, Ireland

Conference Year

2017

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Memory-Focused Interventions for People With Cognitive Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Dublin, Ireland

1. Background

Cognitive disorder is a crucial global issue. Memory impairment is often considered an early and crucial clinical manifestation of cognitive disorder. Previous studies have shown that memory-focused interventions can effectively mitigate memory function decline. However, in previous studies, the research targets were mostly healthy older adults; few meta-analyses on patients with cognitive disorders have been performed. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of memory-focused interventions on cognitive disorder through conducting a meta-analysis.

2. Methods

According to a systematical literature search strategy, using keywords and the MeSH terms to identify studies related to memory-focused interventions and cognitive disorders. The online electronic databases used in this study were PubMed, the Cochrane Library, OVID-Medline, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Embase (up to July 2015). Articles that met the inclusion criteria were included and a random effect model was used for a meta-analysis. The primary indicators were objective memory performance and subjective memory performance; the secondary indicators were immediate recall, delayed recall, global cognitive functions, and depression.

3. Results

A total of 19 research articles were included in this study. The results showed that memory-focused interventions had a medium–large effect on the objective and subjective memory performance of patients with cognitive disorders, a small–medium effect on delayed recall and global cognitive function, and a small effect on immediate recall (all p < .05). A subgroup analysis on objective memory performance that featured medium heterogeneity showed that the number of treatment weeks (≤5 weeks) could be adopted as a moderator variable for the effect of memory-focused interventions on objective memory performance. A metaregression analysis showed that various continuous variables were nonsignificantly correlated with effect size.

4. Conclusion

In this study, the meta-analysis results showed that memory-focused interventions effectively improved the objective and subjective memory performance of patients with cognitive disorders. Objective memory performance can serve as a reference for diagnosing cognitive disorders; the meaning of subjective memory performance and related factors is crucial for rapidly aging societies. We hope that memory-focused interventions can improve memory function and assist patients in overcoming their self-care problems resulting from memory impairment.