Reviewing working memory training gains in healthy older adults: A meta-analytic review of transfer for cognitive outcomes

The objective of this meta-analytic review was to systematically assess the effects of working memory training on healthy older adults. We identified 552 entries, of which 27 experiments met our inclusion criteria. The final database included 1130 participants. Near- and far-transfer effects were analysed with measures of short-term memory, working memory, and reasoning. Small significant and long-lasting transfer gains were observed in working memory tasks. Effects on reasoning was very small and only marginally significant. The effects of working memory training on both near and far transfer in older adults were moderated by the type of training tasks; the adopted outcome measures; the training duration; and the total number of training hours. In this review, we provide an updated review of the literature in the field by carrying out a robust multi-level metaanalysis focused exclusively on working memory training in healthy older adults. Recommendations for future research are suggested.
Supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Doctoral Grants no. SFRH/BD/80965/2011 (awarded to ACT) and no. PD/BD/105964/2014 (awarded to DRP). This study was supported by the Bial Foundation, under the fellowship number #286/16. This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, which is supported by the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). AS was supported by FCT with the grants NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-032152 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028682. CSM was supported by CMUP (UID/MAT/00144/2013), which is partially funded by FCT with national (MEC) and European structural funds (FEDER), under the partnership agreement PT2020. JL is supported by National Funds through the FCT and co-funded through COMPETE 2020 -PO Competitividade e Internacionalizacao/Portugal 2020/Uniao Europeia, FEDER (Fundos Europeus Estruturais e de Investimento -FEEI) under the number PTDC/PSI-ESP/30280/2017. SC was funded by the FCT with the Grant IF/00091/2015 and under FCT and COMPETE 2020 (PTDC/PSI-ESP/29701/2017).