Effects of a Target Object Orientation Task on Recall in Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT

In this study, six older adults with probable Alzheimer's Disease were trained to recall everyday objects using the spaced-retrieval method (Camp, 1989). We administered three training sessions on alternate days over a week. On each trial, participants selected a target object from an array of items at increasingly longer retention intervals. Half of the participants were given a target object orientation task prior to training to improve spaced-retrieval performance. Results yielded a positive effect of the orientation task on recall of the target object across trials. These data provide support for the view that task-relevant orienting activities enhance the effectiveness of spaced-retrieval training.

Key Words:

• Spaced retrieval
• memory
• mnemonic
• Alzheimer's Disease
• dementia