Spaced retrieval practice improves the uptake of and intention to use personal neuropsychological assessment feedback: a randomized cognitive experiment in a sample of older black and white veterans.

Abstract

Neuropsychological assessment feedback has the potential to promote cognitive/brain health, yet few studies have tested how feedback can be modified to improve its uptake. The current study used a randomized, between-subjects longitudinal design to test the effect of spaced retrieval practice (SRP) on uptake of neuropsychological assessment feedback. Participants included 65 predominantly Black American (83%) older adults (Mage: 65.48) who underwent clinical neuropsychological assessment at a Veteran's Affairs outpatient clinic. Following the assessment, participants were randomized to receive same-day verbal feedback supplemented with either: (a) 2-min massed study of personalized written feedback (standard feedback condition); or (b) three trials of SRP for the personalized feedback (SRP condition). Memory for, intention to use, and adherence to feedback was assessed at a 7-day follow-up telephone call. There were no significant demographic, clinical, or study-related differences between the conditions. Participants in the SRP condition were significantly better at recalling (d = 1.02) and recognizing (d = .86) neuropsychological feedback elements than participants in the standard feedback condition at 7-days post-baseline. Exploratory analyses showed non-significant but small to medium effects for SRP on intentions to use recommendations (d = .21 to .51). However, exploratory analyses also showed there was a non-significant and small between-groups difference in adherence to feedback recommendations (d = .14). SRP markedly improves memory and may modestly improve intentions for neuropsychological assessment feedback. Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of SRP's benefits on memory for feedback, and to develop methods for improving adherence to feedback in neuropsychological populations.