A single case experimental design comparing two memory notebook formats for a man with memory problems caused by traumatic brain injury

Abstract

There is extensive literature demonstrating that restoration of memory is not a realistic goal for rehabilitation and that efforts are more effective if focused on developing compensatory strategies. This paper compares two formats of memory notebook using an ABAB single-case experimental design with a 46-year-old man with a history of head injury. Results revealed significantly better performance on a series of prospective memory tasks for the "modified" notebook. The study highlights the importance of tailoring the diary to the patient's needs and giving careful consideration to the way in which the diary is introduced.

Google Calendar: A new memory aid to compensate for prospective memory deficits following acquired brain injury

“…However, despite evidence of the greater reliance on diaries (e.g., Brown et al, 2005;Evans et al, 2003), few studies have been conducted to evaluate their effectiveness. Moreover, existing studies have shown that effective diary use is dependent on pre-morbid memory aid use, level of self-awareness, diary format and type and length of training received (e.g., McKerracher, Powell, & Oyebode, 2005;Ownsworth & McFarland, 1999;. Research has also shown that clients often abandon diary use once discharged from hospital, which raises problems with generalisation beyond the clinical setting in which they were introduced (Lynch, 1995).…”

INCOG Recommendations for Management of Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part V

“…49,50 The use of PDAs programed to provide prompting has been associated with self-ratings of increased participation in daily activities and satisfaction in occupational performance. 55,56 Memory #3. 52 Programming a computer-based calendar system with prompts was shown to enhance prospective memory performance and reduce the need for monitoring when compared with the use of a standard diary.…”

Modelling skill acquisition in acquired brain injury

“…Furthermore, restoration is unlikely to generalise beyond training (Lynch, 2002). Given that injury is relatively fixed, compensation is likely to be more effective (McKerracher, Powell, & Oyebode, 2005;Tate, 1997). People with ABI are capable of learning compensatory strategies even in the acute stage of recovery (Niemeier, Kruetzer, & Taylor, 2005) and are usually able to transfer learning from remedial tasks to similar tasks (Neistadt, 1994).…”