Recovery of memory after severe closed head injury: dissociations in recovery of memory parameters and predictors of outcome.
This study examined selective reminding and recognition memory performance of 21 severe closed-head injured patients tested within 6 months of regaining consciousness and then again after at least 1 year. Performances on selective reminding parameters were highly correlated and patients performed significantly worse at both testings than did hospitalized controls matched for age, education, and sex. Patients improved from testing 1 to testing 2 on only four of six memory variables. Average Impairment Rating at testing 1 was a marginally better predictor of memory performance at testing 2 than was length of coma. Results are discussed in terms of (a) utility of selective reminding parameters and predictors of outcome and (b) dissociations in recovery of memory parameters.
Paniak
C E
CE
Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Shore
D L
DL
Rourke
B P
BP
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests