New Research Shows Acting will Boost your Memory

Acting can be an absolute game-changer for your memory, especially in older generations.  

Within our rapidly ageing society, the need to develop ways in which to encourage and sustain independent living is increasing considerably. Psychologists around the world are working ceaselessly to diminish the effects of mild cognitive impairments such as a lacking prospective memory, which could be an early indication of Alzheimer’s disease – a debilitating and life changing condition. 

Prospective memory impairment can be described simply as forgetting to carry out an action that you had prior planned in your head. A common example is forgetting to take your reusable coffee cup to your local café each day. You have every intention of doing so up until the last minute when you walk out of your front door without it. Prospective memory impairment can also have far more serious effects on your life, safety and the safety of others around you. For example, you may constantly leave the iron or the heater on, or even forget to take your medication.

Psychologists from the University of Chichester have carried out many experiments hoping to reduce the likelihood of prospective memory impairment cases and the subsequent development of Alzheimer’s disease. The experiment, which was published in psychology journal “Neuropsychology”, found that the most successful results came from a study that compared the memory performance before and after the introduction of an enhancement technique, such as acting. Participants in the study acted out the activity or action that they had intended to do.

Within all age groups, raging from 18-87, there was a highly noticeable improvement in prospective memory after acting. This was especially noticeable in the older people carrying out the experiment who were already in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The people involved in the experiment would act out the motion, such as turning off the oven, in intricate detail. This simple act drastically changed the person’s ability to remember to do the actual task when the time came and reduced the changes of the person forgetting to do it ever again.

Age related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are becoming more and more prominent as our society ages. Discovering ways in which to reduce the harmful and debilitating effects of these diseases is essential in establishing a positive outlook in regards to the livelihood and lifestyle of the older members of society.

Easing the changes of slipping deeply into Alzheimer’s disease, rather then just simply ageing, works towards older people living cost effectively and independently, as we all know how expensive age care homes can be. Maintaining a healthy prospective memory also helps ensure a safer and more stable environment for older people, who are more likely to remember to take medication in the morning and turn off the oven or heater when they leave the house.

This therapeutic answer to enhancing prospective memory is a profound and cost effective finding that could help sustain independent living in older generations. Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairments are debilitating and are become much more likely as we age. It is fantastic to discover that something as simple as acting can be a game changer in lessening the disheartening effects that prospective memory impairment can have. Acting out motions in an effort to remember to do them can help to sustain a lifetime and will play a huge advantage in the later years of your life.

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Story Source:  Materials provided by University of Chichester. (Content may be edited for style) (The photograph provided bears no relation to the study.)