Article

The evidence for the effectiveness of memory rehabilitation is
inconclusive. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of two group memory
rehabilitation programmes with a self-help group control.
DESIGN: Single-blind
randomized controlled trial. Participants with memory problems
following traumatic brain injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis were recruited
from community settings. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated, in
cohorts of four, to compensation or restitution group treatment programmes or a
self-help group control. All programmes were manual-based and comprised two
individual and ten weekly group sessions. MAIN MEASURES: Memory functions, mood,
and activities of daily living were assessed at baseline and five and seven
months after randomization. RESULTS: There were 72 participants (mean age 47.7,
SD 10.2 years; 32 men). There was no significant effect of treatment on the
Everyday Memory Questionnaire (P = 0.97). At seven months the mean scores were
comparable (restitution 36.6, compensation 41.0, self-help 44.1). However, there
was a significant difference between groups on the Internal Memory Aids
Questionnaire (P = 0.002). The compensation and restitution groups each used
significantly more internal memory aids than the self-help group (P < 0.01).
There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on
measures of mood, adjustment and activities of daily living (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: There results show few statistically significant effects of either
compensation or restitution memory group treatment as compared with a self-help
group control. Further randomized trials of memory rehabilitation are needed.

Langue : ANGLAIS