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Open Access 01-12-2023 | COVID-19 | Research article

Memory rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: José Luis Varela-Aldás, Jorge Buele, Doris Pérez, Guillermo Palacios-Navarro

Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Loss of cognitive and executive functions is a problem that affects people of all ages. That is why it is important to perform exercises for memory training and prevent early cognitive deterioration. The aim of this work was to compare the cognitive performance of the participants after an intervention by using two mnemonic techniques to exercise memory functions (paired-associate learning and method of loci).

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted with 21 healthy participants aged 18 to 55 years over a 2-month period. To assess the impact of this proposal, the NEUROPSI brief battery cognitive assessment test was applied before and after the intervention. In each session, a previous cognitive training was carried out using the paired-associate learning technique, to later perform a task based on the loci method, all from a smart device-based application. The accuracy response and reaction times were automatically collected in the app.

Results

After the intervention, a statistically significant improvement was obtained in the neuropsychological assessment (NEUROPSI neuropsychological battery) reflected by the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test (P < .05).

Conclusion

The task based on the method of loci also reflected the well-known age-related effects common to memory assessment tasks. Episodic memory training using the method of loci can be successfully implemented using a smart device app. A stage-based methodological design allows to acquire mnemic skills gradually, obtaining a significant cognitive improvement in a short period of time.

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Title: Memory rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: José Luis Varela-Aldás
Jorge Buele
Doris Pérez
Guillermo Palacios-Navarro
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-023-02294-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Memory rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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