Training compensatory memory strategies via the telephone for persons with TBI

Abstract

Background: Spaced retrieval training has been used to teach individuals with dementia to use compensatory memory strategies. This training has been delivered over the telephone to some persons with dementia. Spaced retrieval applications for individuals with traumatic brain injury have not been reported to date.Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of spaced retrieval for teaching individuals with traumatic brain injury strategies and facts via the telephone, with an emphasis on generalisation.Methods & Procedures: Seven participants with chronic everyday memory problems due to traumatic brain injury were trained to use memory aids for prospective and episodic memory tasks. Participants demonstrated borderline normal to mild global severity ratings. Functional memory problems were identified and external memory aids were provided if appropriate. Participants were trained using spaced retrieval via the telephone 30 minutes per day; each participant was trained on three memory goals. Participants and some caregivers reported strategy use and generalisation for most trained goals.Outcomes & Results: Results indicated that goal attainment and generalisation were achieved in an average of five 30-minute training sessions, resulting in 94.4% spaced-retrieval goal maintenance at 1 month. Strategy execution at 1 month was reported on 77.7% of goals trained.Conclusions: Spaced retrieval is a viable approach for training individuals with traumatic brain injury to use external memory aids and learn prospective memory tasks. Telephone intervention should be considered as an accessible service delivery alternative to promote generalisation with this population.