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Enhancing memory performance in older adults through socially engaging cognitive training
Shachar Ben Izhak, Aviv Yemini, Michal Lavidor. Educational Gerontology, 2025-01-27
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
This follow-up study builds on our previous research, which showed that combining strategy based cognitive training (ST) with social engagement (SE) improved memory performance in older adults more than social meetings alone. To further investigate whether the combination of ST and SE accounts for the observed improvement, we included an additional group that received only ST without the social component. Eighty-five participants were randomly assigned to ST+SE, ST, or SE groups. The ST+SE group participated in mnemonic strategies training based on social interactions across 12 sessions. The ST group underwent the same mnemonic strategies training without the social component, while the SE group focused on enhancing social connections and communication skills. Results revealed significant improvements in word recall and verbal fluency tests for the ST+SE group compared to the ST and SE groups. These findings support the efficacy of integrating SE into CT programs, highlighting the importance of SE as an integral component for maximizing the effectiveness of cognitive training interventions in combating cognitive decline.
Key findings
- This follow-up study builds on our previous research, which showed that combining strategy based cognitive training (ST) with social engagement (SE) improved memory performance in older adults more than social meetings alone.
- Results revealed significant improvements in word recall and verbal fluency tests for the ST+SE group compared to the ST and SE groups.
- These findings support the efficacy of integrating SE into CT programs, highlighting the importance of SE as an integral component for maximizing the effectiveness of cognitive training interventions in combating cognitive decline.
Why it matters
In this study of 85 older adults, combining strategy-based cognitive training with social engagement led to greater improvements in word recall and verbal fluency than strategy training alone or social engagement alone. This supports including social engagement as a component of cognitive training programs.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 30/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Educational Gerontology) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Educational Gerontology: journal h-index 86 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Michal Lavidor: h-index 42 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Bar-Ilan University: institution h-index 553 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 30 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Izhak, S. B., Yemini, A., & Lavidor, M. (2025). Enhancing memory performance in older adults through socially engaging cognitive training. Educational Gerontology. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2025.2458142
Vancouver
Izhak SB, Yemini A, Lavidor M. Enhancing memory performance in older adults through socially engaging cognitive training. Educational Gerontology. 2025. doi:10.1080/03601277.2025.2458142.
BibTeX
@article{izhak2025-924212f5,
author = {Izhak, Shachar Ben and Yemini, Aviv and Lavidor, Michal},
title = {{Enhancing memory performance in older adults through socially engaging cognitive training}},
journal = {Educational Gerontology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1080/03601277.2025.2458142},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2025.2458142}
}
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