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Long-term retention of computer learning by patients with memory disorders
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Neuropsychologia
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Patients with memory loss, regardless of cause, can learn computer skills. This knowledge is retained for up to nine months, demonstrating lasting cognitive abilities in amnesic patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Previous studies confirmed that patients with memory impairments from closed-head injuries can learn microcomputer skills.
- This suggests that complex learning is possible despite significant memory deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if amnesic patients with causes other than closed-head injury can also learn computer skills.
- To determine the long-term retention of these learned computer skills in amnesic patients.
Main Methods:
- The study involved amnesic patients from various etiologies learning to operate a microcomputer.
- Skill acquisition and retention were assessed over time.
Main Results:
- Amnesic patients, irrespective of the cause of their memory disorder, successfully acquired computer operating skills.
- These acquired skills and knowledge were retained for periods extending up to nine months.
Conclusions:
- The capacity for complex skill learning and long-term retention is not limited to amnesic patients with closed-head injuries.
- These findings highlight the potential for cognitive rehabilitation and skill-based interventions in diverse amnesic populations.