Positivity effect on memory in aging: systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: To survey and analyze the scientific evidence on the effect of positivity on memory capacity in the elderly. Method: This is a systematic review carried out in the Medline, PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase and Cochrane databases, using the uncontrolled descriptors "memory", "positivity effect" and "older adults". The guiding question was elaborated according to the PICO strategy, while the writing of the present study was based on the PRISMA methodology. Results: A total of 876 articles were surveyed, of which 19 were selected. In terms of the general characteristics of the studies, China (6) and the United States (4) had the highest number of papers. The year 2019 had the highest number of published articles (9). Most of the studies (10) used images from the International Affective Picture System as stimuli to manipulate the valence of emotions. In terms of sample size, 11 of the studies had more than 100 participants. Recognition memory was the subsystem that accounted for the largest number of investigations (9). Conclusion: With regard to the effect of positivity on the memory capacity of the elderly, most of the studies show this effect, in line with the gerontological literature. It can be concluded that the studies recognize the effect of positivity on memory in the elderly population as a result of cognition motivated and guided by changes, according to goals and the design of objectives considered positive.