Far transfer in cognitive training of older adults

Issue title: Cognitive Plasticity and Training

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zelinski, Elizabeth M.

Affiliations: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. Tel.: +1 213 550 6725; E-mail: zelinski@usc.edu

Abstract: Purpose: This article reviews the literature on far transfer effects in training of older adults. Methods: Adapting a taxonomy of transfer developed by Barnett and Ceci (2002), to rehabilitation or enhancement of existing cognitive skills; results of studies assessing transfer effects from training of memory, reasoning, UFOV, dual task performance, and complex training are classified. Results: Comparisons of the transfer outcomes of both strategy training and extended practice approaches suggest that far transfer has been observed. Conclusions: Outcomes for strategy studies training memory have had less success than extended practice studies in obtaining far transfer. Reasons for this are discussed, as are suggestions for improved assessment of transfer outcomes.

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-2009-0495

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 455-471, 2009