title: Self-generation as a means of maximizing learning in multiple sclerosis: an application of the generation effect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the generation effect, the observation that items generated by subjects are better remembered than items provided, as a means of maximizing new learning in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective between-group design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private, nonprofit research facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based sample of 31 subjects with MS (MS group) and 17 healthy controls (control group), matched for age and education.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immediate, thirty-minute and 1-week assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neuropsychologic tests assessing language, executive functioning, working memory, long-term memory, and the generation effect were administered. Recall and recognition of generation effect stimuli was tested immediately, 30 minutes, and 1-week after presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recall and recognition of generated stimuli were significantly higher than provided stimuli across testing sessions. This effect was observed equally across the control and MS groups. Recall performance for generated stimuli correlated significantly with indices of episodic memory, information processing, and language but not executive control. Memory for the source of the information was deficient for generated words compared with provided words.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The generation effect was present in MS and control subjects and may be a viable way of maximizing new learning in MS.
authors.affiliation: Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corp, Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Chiaravalloti
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deluca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies