Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living Performance After Working Memory Training

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To determine the effect of working memory training on instrumental activities of daily living. <h3>Design</h3> Experimental study - Clinical trial with follow up after a month. <h3>Setting</h3> Instituto Neurologico de Colombia. <h3>Participants</h3> 32 ischemic stroke participants. <h3>Interventions</h3> Experimental intervention: Software Braining administered during 12 weeks (three times a week). High level of difficulty Active Control intervention: Software Braining administered during 12 weeks (three times a week). Low level of difficulty. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Primary outcome: Instrumental activities of daily living. <h3>Secondary outcome</h3> Working memory. <h3>Results</h3> The active control group improved the capacity to use a telephone when comparing base line performance (2.0) (SD 2-3) to follow-up (3.0) (SD 3-3) d=1,0.However the experimental group did not only improved the use of a telephone (2.0) (SD 2-3) to follow-up (3.0) (SD 3-3) d=0.8 but also going out shopping (2.5) (SD 1-3) to follow-up (3.0) (SD 3-3) d=0.6 and taking medications (2.0) (SD 1-2) to follow-up (3.0) (SD 2.7-3) d=1.2. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Instrumental activities can improve after working memory training however this far transfer effects can be improved by increasing the amount of training. On the other hand, this training is effective in ischemic stroke population and other populations should be assessed according to their particular features. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None at this time.