Evaluation of a structured group format memory rehabilitation program for adults following brain injury

Abstract

Memory impairments commonly follow traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and have a profound impact on the capacity to engage in rehabilitation and independent living. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-session structured group format memory rehabilitation program for adults following TBI and CVA. Fourteen participants aged 16 to 50 years were randomly assigned to wait-list control and experimental conditions. Neuropsychological assessments of memory and memory-related performance (i.e., verbal recall, visual recall, attention), and measures assessing functional and everyday memory were administered before the wait-list, before treatment, after treatment, and at one-month follow-up. Results indicate that participation in the Memory Group significantly increased participants' knowledge of memory and memory strategies, significantly increased participants' use of memory aids and strategies as rated by participants and significant others, and significantly reduced behaviours indicative of memory impairment as rated by participants and significant others. Participation in the Memory Group also had a positive effect on participant performance on selected neuropsychological assessments of memory and memory related performance (i.e., California Verbal Learning Test: Long Delay Free Recall, Visual Paired Associates: Delayed Recall, and Logical Memory: Immediate and Delayed Recall). All the significant improvements outlined above exceeded those experienced by wait-list controls. The positive effects of the group were maintained one month after participation in the group.