How effective is maintenance rehearsal for improving memory?

Maintenance rehearsal involves the repetition of information to keep it in working memory, but it does not promote deeper processing of information, which is essential for long-term retention. This technique is primarily focused on keeping information active in the mind rather than encoding it in a meaningful way. While maintenance rehearsal can temporarily hold information, such as memorizing a phone number for a short period, it lacks the effectiveness required for true memory enhancement. Instead, methods like elaborative rehearsal, which involve connecting new information to existing knowledge and understanding its meaning, lead to a more significant improvement in memory retention and retrieval. Therefore, although maintenance rehearsal may serve a purpose for short-term memory tasks, it ultimately falls short for enhancing memory in a more durable and lasting manner.