Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Instructing Individuals With Neurogenic Memory Impairments: What Have We Learned in the Past 20 Years?
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Ehlhardt, L., Sohlberg, M. M., et al. (2008).
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18(3), 300-342.
This review investigates the instructional practices of cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with neurogenic memory disorders, including traumatic brain injuries and related conditions such as stroke, anoxia, brain tumor, and dementia. Instructional interventions using systematic approaches (e.g., vanishing cues, errorless learning, spaced retrieval) and conventional approaches (e.g., errorful learning/trial, error learning) were examined. This review is part of an Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences Practice Guideline for the management of traumatic brain injury.
Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences
1986-2006
Experimental studies; nonexperimental studies
51
"Ecological validity was established in 1/7 (14%) of [dementia] studies (Clare et al., 2000), in which participants demonstrated improved face-name recall and use of memory strategies in naturalistic settings" (p. 19).
"A total of 41 out of 51 (80%) studies reported favourable learning outcomes using the instructional methods of errorless learning, method of vanishing cues, spaced retrieval, or systematic instructional packages. Favourable outcomes occurred in each population group with the least robust outcomes for the dementia population" (p. 21).
<div>There was strong support for systematic memory instruction (e.g., vanishing cues, errorless learning) for individuals with acquired memory impairments. The heterogeneity of the participants, lack of treatment descriptions/instruction and methodological weaknesses of studies should be considered.</div>
"Generalisation was reported in one of the seven [dementia] studies. Clare and colleagues (2000) reported generalisation of face-name recall to a naturalistic setting for two of the six participants and use of memory strategies in new situations for one participant" (p. 22). Maintenance checks were reported in two of the seven [dementia] studies (Clare et al., 2002, 2000) and revealed generally positive findings with retention of therapy gains up to six months post-intervention" (p. 22).
