Dataset Information

Growth Mindset Predicts Cognitive Gains in an Older Adult Multi-Skill Learning Intervention.

ABSTRACT: Growth mindset (belief in the malleability of intelligence) is a unique predictor of young learners' increased motivation and learning, and may have broader implications for cognitive functioning. Its role in learning in older adulthood is unclear. As part of a larger longitudinal study, we examined growth mindset and cognitive functioning in older adults engaged in a 3-month multi-skill learning intervention that included growth mindset discussions. Before, during, and after the intervention, participants reported on their growth mindset beliefs and completed a cognitive battery. Study 1 indicated that intervention participants, but not control participants, increased their growth mindset during the intervention. Study 2 replicated these results and found that older adults with higher preexisting growth mindsets showed larger cognitive gains at posttest compared to those with lower preexisting growth mindsets. Our findings highlight the potential role of growth mindset in supporting positive learning cycles for cognitive gains in older adulthood.

SUBMITTER: Sheffler P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10052424 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Growth Mindset Predicts Cognitive Gains in an Older Adult Multi-Skill Learning Intervention.

Sheffler Pamela P Kürüm Esra E Sheen Angelica M AM Ditta Annie S AS Ferguson Leah L Bravo Diamond D Rebok George W GW Strickland-Hughes Carla M CM Wu Rachel R

International journal of aging & human development 20220620 4

Growth mindset (belief in the malleability of intelligence) is a unique predictor of young learners' increased motivation and learning, and may have broader implications for cognitive functioning. Its role in learning in older adulthood is unclear. As part of a larger longitudinal study, we examined growth mindset and cognitive functioning in older adults engaged in a 3-month multi-skill learning intervention that included growth mindset discussions. Before, during, and after the intervention, p ...[more]

PMID: 35726166

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Project description:Although behavioral studies show large improvements in arithmetic skills in elementary school, we do not know how brain structure supports math gains in typically developing children. While some correlational studies have investigated the concurrent association between math performance and brain structure, such as gray matter volume (GMV), longitudinal studies are needed to infer if there is a causal relation. Although discrepancies in the literature on the relation between GMV and math performance have been attributed to the different demands on quantity vs. retrieval mechanisms, no study has experimentally tested this assumption. We defined regions of interests (ROIs) associated with quantity representations in the bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and associated with the storage of arithmetic facts in long-term memory in the left middle and superior temporal gyri (MTG/STG), and studied associations between GMV in these ROIs and children's performance on operations having greater demands on quantity vs. retrieval mechanisms, namely subtraction vs. multiplication. The aims of this study were threefold: First, to study concurrent associations between GMV and math performance, second, to investigate the role of GMV at the first time-point (T1) in predicting longitudinal gains in math skill to the second time-point (T2), and third, to study whether changes in GMV over time were associated with gains in math skill. Results showed no concurrent association between GMV in IPS and math performance, but a concurrent association between GMV in left MTG/STG and multiplication skill at T1. This association showed that the higher the GMV in this ROI, the higher the children's multiplication skill. Results also revealed that GMV in left IPS and left MTG/STG predicted longitudinal gains in subtraction skill only for younger children (approximately 10 years old). Whereas higher levels of GMV in left IPS at T1 predicted larger subtraction gains, higher levels of GMV in left MTG/STG predicted smaller gains. GMV in left MTG/STG did not predict longitudinal gains in multiplication skill. No significant association was found between changes in GMV over time and longitudinal gains in math. Our findings support the early importance of brain structure in the IPS for mathematical skills that rely on quantity mechanisms.

Project description:Recent work suggests that the brain can be conceptualized as a network comprised of groups of sub-networks or modules. The extent of segregation between modules can be quantified with a modularity metric, where networks with high modularity have dense connections within modules and sparser connections between modules. Previous work has shown that higher modularity predicts greater improvements after cognitive training in patients with traumatic brain injury and in healthy older and young adults. It is not known, however, whether modularity can also predict cognitive gains after a physical exercise intervention. Here, we quantified modularity in older adults (N = 128, mean age = 64.74) who underwent one of the following interventions for 6 months (NCT01472744 on ClinicalTrials.gov): (1) aerobic exercise in the form of brisk walking (Walk), (2) aerobic exercise in the form of brisk walking plus nutritional supplement (Walk+), (3) stretching, strengthening and stability (SSS), or (4) dance instruction. After the intervention, the Walk, Walk+ and SSS groups showed gains in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), with larger effects in both walking groups compared to the SSS and Dance groups. The Walk, Walk+ and SSS groups also improved in executive function (EF) as measured by reasoning, working memory, and task-switching tests. In the Walk, Walk+, and SSS groups that improved in EF, higher baseline modularity was positively related to EF gains, even after controlling for age, in-scanner motion and baseline EF. No relationship between modularity and EF gains was observed in the Dance group, which did not show training-related gains in CRF or EF control. These results are consistent with previous studies demonstrating that individuals with a more modular brain network organization are more responsive to cognitive training. These findings suggest that the predictive power of modularity may be generalizable across interventions aimed to enhance aspects of cognition and that, especially in low-performing individuals, global network properties can capture individual differences in neuroplasticity.

Project description:BackgroundIn most controlled studies of multi-component cognitive intervention, participants' cognitive levels are homogenous, which is contrary to real-world settings. There is a lack of research studying the implementation of evidence-based cognitive intervention in communities. This study describes the implementation and preliminary effectiveness of a Multi-component Cognitive Intervention using Simulated Everyday Tasks (MCI-SET) for older adults with different cognitive levels in real-world settings.MethodsSingle group, pre-intervention assessment, post-intervention assessment, and 3-month follow-up research design. MCI-SET consists of 12 two-hour weekly sessions that include motor-cognitive tasks, cognitive training, and cognitive rehabilitation. One hundred and thirty participants, > = 65 and frail, dependence on > = one instrumental daily activity, or with confirmed dementia, from eight community centers were included. The primary outcome is general cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Taiwan, MoCA-T). Secondary outcomes are memory (Miami Prospective Memory Test, Digits Forward, Digits Backward), attention (Color Trail Test-Part 1), executive function (Color Trail Test-Part 2), and general function (Kihon Checklist-Taiwan).ResultsPre-intervention workshop for group leaders, standardized activity protocols, on-site observation, and ten weekly conferences were conducted to ensure implementation fidelity. MCI-SET had an 85% retention rate and 96% attendance rate. The participants had a mean age of 78.26 ± 7.00 and a mean MoCA-T score of 12.55 ± 7.43. 73% were female. General cognition (Hedges' g = 0.31), attention (Hedges' g = 0.23), and general function (Hedges' g = 0.31), showed significant post-intervention improvement with small effect size. Follow-ups showed maintained improvement in general cognition (Hedges' g = 0.33), and delayed effect on attention (Hedges' g = 0.20), short-term memory (Hedges' g = 0.38), and executive function (Hedges' g = 0.40). Regression analysis indicated that the intervention settings (day care centers vs neighborhood centers), the pre-intervention cognitive levels, and the pre-intervention general function of the participants were not associated with the outcomes.ConclusionsMCI-SET is feasible and can improve the cognitive skills and general functions of older adults with heterogeneous cognitive skills or disabilities. It is essential to tailor programs to fit the interests of the participants and the culture of local communities. Group leaders must also have the skills to adjust the cognitive demands of the tasks to meet the heterogeneous cognitive levels of participants.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04615169 ).

Project description:IntroductionAlthough ageing is generally perceived as a biologically determined process, the literature increasingly points to the importance of psychological factors in the ageing process, specifically age-related stereotypes or cognitive mindsets. Such stereotypes reflect self-perceptions and others' perceptions about the ageing process and can have a strong influence on health and life satisfaction, specifically through self-fulfilling prophecy mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether changes in mindsets can change the ageing process.Methods and analysisThis study replicates in large part the original 1979 'Counterclockwise' experiment by Ellen Langer and will involve a group of older adults (aged 75+) taking part of a 1-week retreat outside of Milan, Italy. Participants will be instructed and helped to relive their younger selves, acting as i f they are living in the year 1989. The week-long residential programme is designed to prime this perception by incorporating a completely retrofitted physical environment, as well as providing opportunities to engage in social activities that would have been common in the late 1980s. This 'counterclockwise' intervention will be tested as a randomised control trial comprised of the experimental ('counterclockwise') group, an active control group (same activities, no time manipulation) and a no-treatment group. Ninety participants will be randomly allocated to one of these three conditions. Every participant will be assessed for medical, cognitive, psychological and age appearance at four time points: at the time of recruitment, after the intervention (ie, after a week for the no-treatment group) and again after 6 and 12 months.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Ethics Committees of the Department of Psychology of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Don Gnocchi Foundation. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific meetings and direct presentation to the general population.Trial registration numberNCT03552042; Pre-results.

Dataset Information

Growth Mindset Predicts Cognitive Gains in an Older Adult Multi-Skill Learning Intervention.

Publications

Growth Mindset Predicts Cognitive Gains in an Older Adult Multi-Skill Learning Intervention.

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