Skip to main content
Article
Improving Recall in a Person with Dementia: Investigating the Effectiveness of Memory Priming and Spaced Retrieval in an Older Adult with Dementia
Clinical Case Studies
  • Britta L. Fiksdal, Minnesota State University - Mankato
  • Daniel Houlihan, Minnesota State University - Mankato
  • Jeffrey Buchanan, Minnesota State University - Mankato
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2012
Abstract

Because it is often perceived that individuals with dementia cannot relearn information that has been forgotten, few nonpharmacological memory-enhancing interventions have been developed for this population. The current study involved the investigation of a novel memory-enhancement procedure called memory priming (MP) with a 95-year-old individual with dementia. MP is based on the assumption that an individual’s ability to learn is enhanced when learning trials are preceded by an activity that is enjoyable and can be done successfully. MP required the individual to engage in a 5-min preferred conversation followed by the presentation of target questions every 2 min. A memory-enhancement procedure known as spaced retrieval was then used to maintain the information learned through MP. Results provide initial evidence for the utility of MP followed by spaced retrieval for enhancing the recall and retention of meaningful information. MP may provide a simple means for helping individuals with dementia relearn forgotten information.

DOI
10.1177/1534650112457811
Citation Information
Fiksdal, B., Houlihan, D., & Buchanan, J. (2012). Improving Recall in a Person with Dementia: Investigating the Effectiveness of Memory Priming and Spaced Retrieval in an Older Adult with Dementia. Clinical Case Studies, 11(5), 393-405. DOI. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534650112457811