Memory remediation after severe closed head injury: notebook training versus supportive therapy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Psychology

Background:

• Memory deficits are common after severe closed-head injury (CHI).
• Compensatory strategies are crucial for managing daily memory failures in CHI survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a 9-week memory notebook treatment for individuals with CHI and memory deficits.
• To compare notebook training with supportive therapy in improving memory outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Eight participants with severe CHI (>2 years prior) were randomized to notebook training or supportive therapy.
• Memory outcomes were assessed using sensitive measures of everyday memory failures (EMFs) and laboratory-based tests.
• Assessments were conducted pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• The notebook training group reported significantly fewer everyday memory failures immediately post-treatment compared to the supportive therapy group.
• This significant difference in everyday memory failures was not maintained at the 6-month follow-up.
• No significant treatment effects were observed for laboratory-based memory measures at either post-treatment or follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Memory notebook training may offer a viable strategy for compensating for everyday memory problems following CHI.
• The choice of outcome measures is critical for detecting treatment efficacy in memory rehabilitation.
• Preliminary findings suggest potential benefits, but larger sample sizes are needed for definitive conclusions.