How spouses help each other remember important tasks as they age
The Role of Spousal Biobehavioral Co-regulation in Everyday Collaborative Memory: Identifying Targets for Intervention
This study looks at how husbands and wives help each other remember important things as they get older, like taking medicine or managing daily tasks, to find out what strategies work best for boosting memory and reducing stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10820497 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how spouses influence each other's memory and cognitive abilities as they age, particularly in middle and later life. It focuses on understanding the behaviors couples use to support each other in remembering important tasks, such as taking medication or managing daily activities. By examining the interactions between partners, the study aims to identify effective strategies that can enhance memory performance and reduce stress related to memory tasks. The research will involve observing couples as they collaborate on memory tasks to uncover the dynamics of their interactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged and older adults, particularly those experiencing mild cognitive impairment or dementia, along with their spouses.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 21 or those without a spouse or partner may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved memory support strategies for older adults, enhancing their ability to live independently.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that spousal support can positively impact emotional and health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results in memory enhancement as well.
Where this research is happening
Ames, United States
- Iowa State University — Ames, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Margrett, Jennifer Ann — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Margrett, Jennifer Ann
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.