Memory & Mood

Study Shows Computer Training Program Developed At UAB Improves Speed of Information Processing in Older Adults

Have you had the feeling that as the number of candles on your birthday cake is climbing, your ability to process information is declining? It turns out that your hunch is right. "We know that speed of processing information is one of the first abilities to decline as we get older. The good news is that certain types of cognitive training can improve this ability," explains Karlene Ball, Ph.D., UAB professor of psychology.

Dr. Ball and her colleagues at the Roybal Center for Translational Research on Aging and Mobility — part of the UAB Center for Aging — have developed an interactive computer training program that has been shown in a multi-site clinical trial to significantly improve older adult participants' ability to process information. "We now have data that indicate behavioral training works," says Dr. Ball. As part of the study, older adults were given 10 computer training sessions lasting 75 minutes each. During each session, images flash quickly on the screen and subjects are asked to identify what they saw and why. "The computer program sometimes gives the subjects auditory distractions, so they must pay attention to things happening very quickly. The computer gives the subject an unlimited time to respond, but images are seen only briefly," Dr. Ball explains.

The results of the study revealed that each computer training session significantly improved participants' ability to process information. "We were also excited to learn that subjects retained this improvement over a five-year period," says Dr. Ball. "Also, half of the group received booster training sessions at three years and five years. This group performed even better." She stresses that improving cognitive processing abilities translates to a higher level of functioning in many everyday activities.

"Reaction time while driving a car is greatly affected by our ability to quickly process information. We can also measure this cognitive ability in the time it takes someone to make change or look up a phone number, for example." Dr. Ball also explains that interacting with technology — a necessary part of modern life — requires sound cognitive processing abilities. "We exercise this skill when navigating an automated phone menu, for example. Also, previous research has shown that speed of processing was the best predictor of whether someone could learn data entry. So, our ability to process information is used in many ways we may not think of."

Dr. Ball says a key to the training's effectiveness is that it provides the brain a novel form of stimulation. "The brain is designed to learn new things. We're pushing this ability continuously until adulthood. At this point, we begin repeating the same skills over and over — we're not pushing ourselves to learn and consolidate information. But the training program pushes the brain to a new level in a new way." A home version of the computer training program, designed by Posit Science, will be available through the company in 2008.