Pegword Mnemonic as an AId to Memory in the Elderly: A Comparison of Four Age Groups

The pegword system was tested as an aid to memory in four age categories (18‐30, 31‐45, 46‐59, and 60‐90 years), using familiar sayings as stimuli. The pegword system improved recall equally in all four groups, although age had a pronounced effect on absolute recall level. An analysis of percent improvement from the pre‐ to the posttest showed a greater improvement as a function of age. None of the groups reported significant spontaneous use of visual imagery. In random sample telephone interviews four months after the exercises, no one in the pegword group reported the regular use of the pegword system for day‐to‐day remembering.