The effects of repeated checking in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of repeated checking on memory accuracy and meta-memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
IRAS ID
170456
Contact name
Miles Lattimer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Repeated physical checking has been shown to lead to reduced memory confidence, vividness and detail, in a number of studies attempting to test Rachman’s (2002) cognitive theory of compulsive checking, which suggests that checking continues due to a self-perpetuating mechanism where individuals check to become more certain but the more they check the less confident they become. As yet no studies have investigated the impact of repeated checking behaviours in populations with memory difficulties, where reduced confidence in memory and compensatory strategies, including checking, may be particularly relevant.
This study will test the impact of repeated checking behaviour in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 28 people with MCI will be randomly allocated to either “relevant checking” of a non functioning model stove or “irrelevant checking” of a dosette box. Memory accuracy and meta-memory (confidence, vividness and detail) will be measured for a check of the model stove before and after these checking trials. This study is important as it could inform guidance for individuals with MCI about the benefits or problems of engaging in checking behaviours.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0174
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion