title: Structured practice: a memory intervention for persons with dementia.
abstract: This study assessed the feasibility of Structured Practice, a memory intervention format for persons with dementia that requires little or no expertise on the part of a trainer. Fourteen residents of assisted-living facilities practiced a 7-digit telephone number and engaged in guided social interaction with a trainer during several sessions. Free and cued recalls were assessed 5 minutes after each session and at least 1 day after each session. Week-long retention was also assessed for those who showed day-long retention on 2 consecutive assessments. Participants were easily engaged with the Structured Practice materials. Half successfully recalled at least part of the number after a day delay. Most recalled at least part of the number after a 5-minute delay. Structured Practice can serve as a format for teaching everyday information and guiding social interaction with persons with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M University, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. ahochhalter@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hochhalter
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Ozioma
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003463:Cues; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011939:Mental Recall; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*