Memory Complaints in Chronic Stroke Patients Are Predicted by Memory Self-Efficacy rather than Memory Capacity

Abstract

Background: Memory self-efficacy (MSE) is the belief about one’s mastery of memory functioning. In healthy elderly, memory complaints are related to MSE rather than to objectively measured memory capacity. MSE has scarcely been studied in patients that suffered a stroke. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine whether memory capacity and MSE can predict the presence of memory complaints in stroke patients, and (2) to study which variables are the best predictors of MSE. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 136 stroke patients (>18 months after onset) were recruited from April 2008 to November 2009. MSE was measured using the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire. Depression, coping and personality were measured using validated questionnaires, and memory performance was measured using the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Patients were divided into a ‘complaints’ and a ‘no complaints’ group. Results: A lower MSE score was an independent predictor of having memory complaints (adjusted odds ratio: 0.422; p = 0.000), adjusted for age and depression. The RBMT and AVLT scores did not predict the presence of memory complaints (p > 0.263). Presence of memory complaints and depression were the strongest predictors of MSE (B = –1.748, p = 0.000; B = –0.054, p = 0.000), followed by word fluency, not having a partner and side of stroke (B = 0.038, p = 0.012; B = –0.517, p = 0.082; B = –0.479, p = 0.088). Conclusions: Memory complaints are predicted by MSE rather than memory capacity. MSE memory training might be an effective training strategy for reducing memory complaints in selected chronic stroke patients.

Psychological factors and subjective cognitive complaints after stroke: Beyond depression and anxiety

“…Whether this is also true for patients who had a stroke is less well established. Aben et al (2011) found a relationship between neuroticism and memory-related SCC, which became non-significant in covariate-adjusted models. An association with extraversion or coping style with post-stroke SCC was not found in that study (Aben et al, 2011).…”

“…Multiple studies indicate that psychological factors are related to SCC, particularly poststroke depression (Aben et al, 2011;Duits et al, 2008;Lamb, Anderson, Saling, & Dewey, 2013;Maaijwee et al, 2014;Martin, Dellatolas, Viguier, Willadino-Braga, & Deloche, 2002;Nijsse et al, 2017;Winkens et al, 2009;Xiong et al, 2011). Most studies demonstrated that post-stroke depressive symptoms are associated with more SCC (Aben et al, 2011;Duits et al, 2008;Lamb et al, 2013;Maaijwee et al, 2014;Martin et al, 2002;Nijsse et al, 2017;Winkens et al, 2009;Xiong et al, 2011), although one study did not find such a relationship (Narasimhalu et al, 2013).…”

“…Most studies demonstrated that post-stroke depressive symptoms are associated with more SCC (Aben et al, 2011;Duits et al, 2008;Lamb et al, 2013;Maaijwee et al, 2014;Martin et al, 2002;Nijsse et al, 2017;Winkens et al, 2009;Xiong et al, 2011), although one study did not find such a relationship (Narasimhalu et al, 2013). Other psychosocial aspects known to occur frequently after stroke (e.g., anxiety and fatigue) have also been examined.…”

Asociación entre actividad física y auto-percepción de pérdida de la memoria

“…Entre los factores que se relacionan con la auto percepción de alteración de la memoria, se puede mencionar a la edad, las comorbilidades cardiovasculares, los síntomas depresivos y el sexo femenino [30][31][32] . Los resultados del presente estudio están acorde con lo mostrado por la literatura previa, donde se identifica estos factores relacionados con una auto-percepción de pérdida de memoria.…”

“…La presencia de síntomas depresivos en las personas genera bradipsiquia y comportamientos relacionados al desgano. Por ello, las actividades cognitivas, como la memoria tienden a disminuir, lo que se evidencia en los resultados de los estudios previos [30][31][32] . Por otro lado, la educación superior condiciona un entrenamiento cognitivo mayor, lo que genera una mayor actividad sináptica.…”