Memory impairment in rehabilitation

Memory impairment is a common problem in patients with physical disabilitiy of neurological origin. The important features of two types of memory and learning impairment, Amnesic Syndrome and Frontal Lobe Dysfunction, are briefly summarized. Emphasis is placed on the variability of signs and the possibility of new learning within these two classes of memory disorder. The learning requirements of different physiotherapy techniques are discussed in terms of the difficulties they present for the learning-impaired patient Some suggestions are made to assist in the identification of those patients with abnormalities of memory and learning. Several ways in which the rehabilitation program can be modified for patients with memory impairment are discussed. The implications for overall management of these "multi-disabled" patients is considered. A final suggestion is made concerning the value of neuropsychological referral within an interdisciplinary approach to the rehabilitation and management of neurological disability.