TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving memory in outpatients with neurological disorders using a group-based training program
AU - Radford, Kylie
AU - Lah, Suncica
AU - Thayer, Zoë
AU - Say, Miranda J.
AU - Miller, Laurie A.
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - Memory problems are common in patients with a range of neurological conditions, but there have been few attempts to provide and evaluate the usefulness of memory training for groups of neurological outpatients. We used a waitlist-controlled trial design to assess the effectiveness of a newly created, 6-session intervention, which involved training in the use of compensatory strategies as well as education regarding memory function, neurological damage, sleep and lifestyle factors that have an impact on memory. Fifty-six patients with neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, epilepsy) and memory complaints completed the training and assessments. Outcomes were evaluated in terms of reported strategy use as well as objective and subjective measures of anterograde and prospective memory. Training resulted in significant improvements on number of strategies used, scores on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (total learning and delayed recall) and self-report on the Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory. Improvements were stable at 3-month follow-up. Better individual outcomes were related to lower baseline memory scores, fewer symptoms of depression and greater self-awareness of memory function. Overall the study provides encouraging results to indicate that patients with neurological conditions such as stroke and epilepsy can show improvements in memory after a relatively short group-based intervention.
AB - Memory problems are common in patients with a range of neurological conditions, but there have been few attempts to provide and evaluate the usefulness of memory training for groups of neurological outpatients. We used a waitlist-controlled trial design to assess the effectiveness of a newly created, 6-session intervention, which involved training in the use of compensatory strategies as well as education regarding memory function, neurological damage, sleep and lifestyle factors that have an impact on memory. Fifty-six patients with neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, epilepsy) and memory complaints completed the training and assessments. Outcomes were evaluated in terms of reported strategy use as well as objective and subjective measures of anterograde and prospective memory. Training resulted in significant improvements on number of strategies used, scores on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (total learning and delayed recall) and self-report on the Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory. Improvements were stable at 3-month follow-up. Better individual outcomes were related to lower baseline memory scores, fewer symptoms of depression and greater self-awareness of memory function. Overall the study provides encouraging results to indicate that patients with neurological conditions such as stroke and epilepsy can show improvements in memory after a relatively short group-based intervention.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863655322&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1355617712000379
DO - 10.1017/S1355617712000379
M3 - Article
C2 - 22594962
AN - SCOPUS:84863655322
VL - 18
SP - 738
EP - 748
JO - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
JF - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
SN - 1355-6177
IS - 4
ER -