Memory Training for Brain Health

Overseen By Erin Venza, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas at Dallas

Disqualifiers: Neurodegenerative disease, Stroke, Brain injury, Autism, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 2 sessions

63 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a combination of brain imaging tools can identify key signs of brain health. Participants will engage in Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART), which teaches techniques to improve memory and thinking, along with strategies for managing stress. The trial is open to those already participating in The BrainHealth Project who can read and hear information on a computer and pass safety screenings for MRI and TMS (a type of brain stimulation). Individuals with a neurodegenerative disease or significant brain injury history are not eligible. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research in brain health and cognitive improvement.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for brain health?

Studies have shown that the Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) is generally easy for participants to handle. This program helps improve memory and thinking skills and has undergone testing by researchers for many years. Participants often notice enhanced thinking and problem-solving abilities. No major reports of side effects or safety concerns have emerged.

The SMART program is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery or entering the body, making it safer than many other treatments. It focuses on teaching strategies for everyday life, which is usually safe for most people.

Overall, based on past studies and its long history of use, SMART is considered safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) because it offers a fresh approach to improving brain health and memory. Unlike traditional memory aids or medications, SMART focuses on teaching meta-cognitive strategies that individuals can apply in their daily lives to boost performance. This method not only targets memory enhancement but also incorporates Stress Solutions, helping individuals build resilience and manage stress effectively. By integrating these principles, SMART aims to provide a more holistic and practical solution for memory improvement and brain health.

What evidence suggests that Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training is effective for brain health?

Research has shown that Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART), which participants in this trial will receive, can improve memory and thinking skills. One study found that people who completed SMART experienced noticeable improvements in these areas. Another study demonstrated that SMART reduced thinking problems in individuals with mild traumatic brain injuries. The program teaches strategies to enhance brain function and everyday performance. Overall, SMART has proven effective in supporting better brain health and thinking abilities. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sandra Chapman, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Dallas

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals at least 22 years old who are fluent in English, can interact with computer-based information, and are already participating in The BrainHealth Project. They must pass safety screenings for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MRI scans, meaning no non-removable metal on/in the body, severe claustrophobia, pregnancy, significant vision issues without correction, head trauma or central nervous system disease.

Inclusion Criteria

I can read and hear information on a computer.

I am fluent in English.

I am at least 22 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo two in-person sessions with the Delphi-MD device, aligned with pre-scheduled imaging appointments

2 sessions

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

Up to one year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training

Trial Overview The study tests how well a combination of brain imaging techniques (transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography) works to identify markers of brain health. It's part of a pilot study that includes behavioral assessments and fMRI metrics from another ongoing research project.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Online Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training & Stress Solutions Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) teaches meta-cognitive strategies for individuals to apply to their daily lives for improved performance Stress Solutions provides individuals with opportunities to extend the SMART principles to domains of stress and resilience.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas at Dallas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

71

Recruited

108,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 49 older adults, those with lower education levels were more likely to show cognitive improvement after participating in a multi-strategic memory training program, suggesting that educational background may influence training efficacy.

Brain imaging revealed that specific morphological features, such as thinner cortices in certain brain regions and higher white matter anisotropy, can predict cognitive gains from memory training, highlighting the importance of individual brain characteristics in tailoring cognitive interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neural predictors of cognitive improvement by multi-strategic memory training based on metamemory in older adults with subjective memory complaints. Park, S., Ryu, SH., Yoo, Y., et al.[2019]

A novel cognitive training program called multi-strategic metamemory training significantly improved long-term delayed free recall and fluency in 66 older adults with mild cognitive impairment compared to a control group of 47 participants.

Participants in the training group also reported a significant decrease in subjective memory complaints, indicating that the program not only enhanced cognitive performance but also improved their perception of everyday memory function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Improvement in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Evidence from a Multi-Strategic Metamemory Training. Youn, JH., Park, S., Lee, JY., et al.[2020]

A meta-analysis of 1,543 participants from 16 studies found that brain training programs using computerized cognitive games significantly improved processing speed, working memory, executive function, and verbal memory in healthy individuals over 60 years old.

These cognitive games did not show improvements in attention or visuospatial abilities, indicating that while they are effective for certain cognitive functions, they may not enhance all areas of cognition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of commercial computerised cognitive games in older adults: a meta-analysis. Bonnechère, B., Langley, C., Sahakian, BJ.[2021]

The modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) significantly improved memory and learning in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), as shown by changes in cerebral activation in key brain networks after treatment.

In a randomized clinical trial with 18 participants, the treatment group exhibited notable differences in brain activation compared to the placebo group, indicating that behavioral interventions like mSMT can effectively enhance cognitive function in TBI patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining the Efficacy of the Modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) in Persons With TBI Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): The TBI-MEM Trial. Chiaravalloti, ND., Dobryakova, E., Wylie, GR., et al.[2019]

In a study of 178 adults with major depressive disorder, using constructive memory support strategies eight times per therapy session was found to optimize treatment outcomes and improve patient recall of treatment content.

The research suggests that the effectiveness of therapy can be enhanced by the frequency of memory support provided by therapists, with implications for long-term patient adherence and recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing outcomes, mechanisms, and recall of Cognitive Therapy for depression: Dose of constructive memory support strategies. Sarfan, LD., Zieve, G., Gumport, NB., et al.[2023]

A 10-week mobile health mnemonic strategy training (MST) for 158 patients with mild cognitive impairment significantly improved brain network synchronization and cortical-level integration, indicating potential benefits for cognitive function.

The training led to enhanced neuropsychological performance, with a correlation found between improved cognitive abilities and increased global cost efficiency of the brain's cortical network.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mnemonic strategy training of the elderly at risk for dementia enhances integration of information processing via cross-frequency coupling. Dimitriadis, SI., Tarnanas, I., Wiederhold, M., et al.[2020]

The RehaCom computerized cognitive training program significantly improved attention and memory functions in 50 brain injury patients after 60 training sessions, with all patients showing enhanced performance in the targeted areas.

The program was well-tolerated, with no reported negative effects such as mental fatigue, headache, or eye irritation, indicating its safety for use in rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical impact of RehaCom software for cognitive rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury. Fernández, E., Bringas, ML., Salazar, S., et al.[2022]

In a randomized clinical trial with 29 participants who have multiple sclerosis (MS) and learning deficits, those with moderate to severe impairments showed significant improvements in learning abilities after undergoing the Story Memory Technique (SMT) compared to a control group, with 88% of the experimental group benefiting from the treatment.

Self-reported memory improvements were significant in participants who received the SMT treatment, highlighting the effectiveness of this memory rehabilitation program, especially for those with more severe learning impairments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating learning impairments improves memory performance in multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial. Chiaravalloti, ND., DeLuca, J., Moore, NB., et al.[2022]

A study involving 44 older adults (ages 60-83) demonstrated that a strategic memory training program effectively improved both practiced (word list learning) and non-practiced memory tasks (like grocery list learning).

Individuals with higher baseline memory capacity and better cognitive resources, such as processing speed, were more likely to benefit from the training, suggesting that personalized interventions could be designed based on an individual's cognitive profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of strategic memory training in older adults: who benefits most? Rosi, A., Del Signore, F., Canelli, E., et al.[2019]

The Strategy-based Training to Enhance Memory (STEM) program showed significant improvements in daily functioning for participants with multiple sclerosis (MS), based on self-report measures from a pilot study involving 20 participants.

Objective neuropsychological tests indicated a medium-large effect on verbal new learning and memory (NLM) in the treatment group, suggesting that STEM could be an effective intervention for memory impairments in MS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The application of Strategy-based Training to Enhance Memory (STEM) in multiple sclerosis: A pilot RCT. Chiaravalloti, ND., Moore, NB., Weber, E., et al.[2021]

Differential outcomes training, which uses unique rewards for correct responses, has been shown to improve learning and memory in individuals with Korsakoff syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, both of which are associated with memory deficits.

The positive results from this training method suggest it could be developed into an effective intervention to help individuals with learning and memory impairments improve their daily functioning.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differential outcomes training facilitates memory in people with Korsakoff and Prader-Willi syndromes. Hochhalter, AK., Joseph, B.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12014451/

Validation of Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning ... This study directly compared the relative effectiveness of Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART), which focuses on metacognitive strategies,

2. bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-025-02767-0

Effect of strategic memory advanced reasoning training ... The study found that participants who underwent SMART training showed significant improvements in both memory and reasoning abilities, with ...

3. centerforbrainhealth.org centerforbrainhealth.org/training/smart/evidence-summary

SMART Evidence Summary The goal is to give people strategies and tools to boost brain function and everyday performance. Open downloadable PDF. Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning ...

4. scholarworks.wmich.edu scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2386&context=ojot

Benefits of Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning ... The current study examined the benefits of the SMART program in masters-level occupational therapy (OT) students. Fourteen students between the ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40271116/

Validation of Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning ... This study demonstrates that SMART is an effective strategy for reducing cognitive deficits and PCS in SMs with a history of mTBI.

6. centerforbrainhealth.org centerforbrainhealth.org/training/smart

SMART Brain Training SMART brain training is the proprietary methodology developed and tested by our researchers and other teams over three decades.

7. brainfutures.org brainfutures.org/smart/

BrainFutures - SMART SMART (Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training) is a program developed by researchers from the Adolescent Reasoning Initiative.

8. pattan.net pattan.net/assets/PaTTAN/e6/e65bb25d-b225-491d-b71f-021210b018e7.pdf

Promoting Reasoning, Real-Life Fuction, and Resilience in ... Describe proactive methods for addressing real-life cognitive and social challenges, including integrated technologies and approaches promoting.