An Evaluation of the Memory at Work Program

NCT ID: NCT01236664

Last Updated: 2011-10-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: WITHDRAWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2012-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2013-01-31

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.

Conditions

Cognition - Other; Ageing

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Memory Training

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Memory training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Control workshop

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Control Workshop

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Interventions

Memory 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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Control 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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Memory at Work Program

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Cogniciti Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Baycrest

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Baycrest

Principal Investigators

Angela K. Troyer, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Baycrest

Kelly J Murphy, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Baycrest

Locations

Baycrest

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

References

Troyer AK, Murphy KJ, Anderson ND, Moscovitch M, Craik FI. Changing everyday memory behaviour in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomised controlled trial. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2008 Jan;18(1):65-88. doi: 10.1080/09602010701409684.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 17943615 (View on PubMed)

Troyer AK, Hafliger A, Cadieux MJ, Craik FI. Name and face learning in older adults: effects of level of processing, self-generation, and intention to learn. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006 Mar;61(2):P67-74. doi: 10.1093/geronb/61.2.p67.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 16497956 (View on PubMed)

Troyer AK, Rich JB. Psychometric properties of a new metamemory questionnaire for older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2002 Jan;57(1):P19-27. doi: 10.1093/geronb/57.1.p19.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 11773220 (View on PubMed)

Troyer AK. Improving memory knowledge, satisfaction, and functioning via an education and intervention program for older adults. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition 8, 256-268, 2001.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Other Identifiers

HTX 10-43

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

REB1043

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id