Effectiveness of the method of loci is only minimally related to factors that should influence imagined navigation

Memory rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Loss of cognitive and executive functions is a problem that affects people of all ages. That is why it is important to perform exercises for memory training and prevent early cognitive deterioration. The aim of this work was to compare the cognitive performance of the participants after an intervention by using two mnemonic techniques to exercise memory functions (paired-associate learning and method of loci).

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted with 21 healthy participants aged 18 to 55 years over a 2-month period. To assess the impact of this proposal, the NEUROPSI brief battery cognitive assessment test was applied before and after the intervention. In each session, a previous cognitive training was carried out using the paired-associate learning technique, to later perform a task based on the loci method, all from a smart device-based application. The accuracy response and reaction times were automatically collected in the app.

RESULTS

After the intervention, a statistically significant improvement was obtained in the neuropsychological assessment (NEUROPSI neuropsychological battery) reflected by the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The task based on the method of loci also reflected the well-known age-related effects common to memory assessment tasks. Episodic memory training using the method of loci can be successfully implemented using a smart device app. A stage-based methodological design allows to acquire mnemic skills gradually, obtaining a significant cognitive improvement in a short period of time.

Optimized virtual reality-based Method of Loci memorization techniques through increased immersion and effective memory palace designs: a feasibility study

For most, an improvement in memory would always be desirable, whether from the point of view of an aging individual with declining memory, or from the perspective of someone seeking to memorize large amounts of information in the shortest period of time. One way for people to improve upon their memory performance is by using the Method of Loci (MoL), a famously complex, ancient memorization technique for non-spatial information recall. With the use of virtual reality technology, this technique can finally be easily taught to individuals for use in their daily lives. In this paper, we present an exploration into this avenue of using MoL in virtual reality and report on the design and evaluation of our new virtual memory palace that aims to prove the feasibility of improving upon designs from other studies to optimize memory recall performance. An experiment was conducted to evaluate our VR MoL environment. The results from week 1 on the pre-test (M = 62.55, SD = 24.01) and post-test (M = 82.91, SD = 15.99) memory task showed an increase in the number of words remembered was statistically significant, t(20) = -2.34, p = 0.014 where participants were able to remember approximately 20.4% more non-spatial information, when compared to traditional memorization techniques. After a second use, participants improved, remembering 22.2% more non-spatial information on the pre-test (M = 63.44, SD = 26.64) and post-test (M = 85.67, SD = 16.10) memory task, indicating that the increase in number of words remembered was statistically significant, t(16) = -2.142, p = 0.024. The results suggest that the virtual memory palace experience could be optimized to help participants learn the MoL technique with very little training time and potentially produce significant improvements in recall performance as a result.

Application of Real and Virtual Radial Arm Maze Task in Human

Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as a promising technology capable of creating different scenarios in which the body, environment, and brain are closely related, proving enhancements in the diagnosis and treatment of several spatial memory deficits. In recent years, human spatial navigation has increasingly been studied in interactive virtual environments. However, navigational tasks are still not completely adapted in immersive 3D VR systems. We stipulate that an immersive Radial Arm Maze (RAM) is an excellent instrument, allowing the participants to be physically active within the maze exactly as in the walking RAM version in reality modality. RAM is a behavioral ecological task that allows the analyses of different facets of spatial memory, distinguishing declarative components from procedural ones. In addition to describing the characteristics of RAM, we will also analyze studies in which RAM has been used in virtual modality to provide suggestions into RAM building in immersive modality.

Mnemonic scaffolds vary in effectiveness for serial recall

Memory champions remember vast amounts of information in order and at first encounter by associating each study item to an anchor within a scaffold - a pre-learned, structured memory. The scaffold provides direct-access retrieval cues. Dominated by the familiar-route scaffold (Method of Loci), researchers have little insight into what characteristics of scaffolds make them effective, nor whether individual differences might play a role. We compared participant-generated mnemonic scaffolds: (a) familiar routes (Loci), (b) autobiographical stories (Story), (c) parts of the human body (Body), and (d) routine activities (Routine Activity). Loci, Body, and Story Scaffolds benefited serial recall over Control (no scaffold). The Body and Loci Scaffold were equally superior to the other scaffolds. Measures of visual imagery aptitude and vividness and body responsiveness did not predict accuracy. A second experiment tested whether embodiment could be responsible for the high level of effectiveness of the Body Scaffold; this was not supported. In short, mnemonic scaffolds are not equally effective and embodied cognition may not directly contribute to memory success. The Body Scaffold may be a strong alternative to the Method of Loci and may enhance learning for most learners, including those who do not find the Method of Loci useful.