An Evaluation of the Memory at Work Program

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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With the aging of the Canadian population, older workers are accounting for more and more of the working-age population. Despite recent interest in cognitive training, there are currently no validated programs that specifically target individuals in the work force. The investigators will conduct a small-scale randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the previously developed Memory at Work program. The investigators will recruit 60 individuals and randomly assign them to the active intervention or a control intervention. The investigators will examine outcomes related to knowledge, behavioral change, self-efficacy, objective memory, and workplace productivity. The investigators expect larger improvements on these measures in the active relative to the control group.

Detailed Description
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This is a pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial. Participants who meet eligibility criteria will undergo baseline testing that involves completing questionnaires and objective cognitive tests. Participants will then be randomly assigned (by coin toss) to the intervention or control group. After participating in their respective workshops, both groups will undergo immediate post-testing and 1-month follow-up post testing. After the final assessment, the control group will be given the opportunity to participate in the intervention workshop. No further testing of this group will occur, as there will no longer be a comparable control group.

Official Title
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An Evaluation of the Memory at Work Program

Conditions
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Cognition - Other, Ageing

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Memory training
* Behavioral: Control Workshop


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Currently employed Between ages 30-65 Fluent in English language Exclusion Criteria: A severe head injury, epilepsy or other neurological disorder Currently unemployed Evidence of significant psychiatric disorder/use of psychotropic medications Evidence of substance abuse

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 30 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Memory Training<br> | Behavioral: Memory training<br>* The Memory at Work program is a 4-hour classroom-based workshop that is led by a professional trainer. The format of the program is experiential, with a heavy focus on discussion, self-discovery, and hands-on use of trained skills. Specific memory compensation techniques are trained. Training consists of an explanation of each technique (i.e., how and when to use it, the science behind the technique) and ample opportunities for hands-on use of the strategies.<br>* Other names: Memory at Work Program;|
| Active Comparator: Control workshop<br> | Behavioral: Control Workshop<br>* The control workshop consists of a 4-hour program that will train techniques for successfully completing Sudoku, word, and logic puzzles. Like the experimental intervention, the control workshop will be engaging and challenging, and will involve a combination of individual and group activities.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Memory related knowledge and behaviour |  | 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improved workplace productivity |  | 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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memory training, mnemonics, cognition, work