Trial and error versus errorless learning of functional skills in patients with acute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of errorless learning versus trial and error learning for teaching activities of daily living to patients with acute stroke with or without explicit memory impairments.


METHODS
Randomized crossover.


METHODS
Rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-three adult subjects following an acute stroke.


METHODS
Subjects were taught to prepare a wheelchair for a transfer and to put on a sock with a sock-donner. Tasks were taught using errorless learning or trial and error learning. Explicit memory was assessed using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Exam.


METHODS
Days until subject was able to demonstrate retention of the task, and success or failure at carry-over to a similar task.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in days to retention for either functional task when taught using errorless learning or trial and error learning in subjects with or without explicit memory impairments. Carry-over was significantly better when trial and error learning was used for learning sock donning.


CONCLUSIONS
When choosing the best learning method for patients undergoing rehabilitation for stroke, the nature of the task should be considered. Additional research is needed to identify the best approach for teaching activities of daily living and facilitating carry-over of learning in individuals with acute stroke.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. julie.mount@jefferson.edu
Julie
J
Mount
Samuel R
SR
Pierce
Janet
J
Parker
Rebecca
R
DiEgidio
Russell
R
Woessner
Lenore
L
Spiegel
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome