title: Functional skill learning in men with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: The number of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) having persistent deficits that compromise their ability to perform everyday skills is increasing. Previous occupation-based studies indicate that computer-based skills using repetitive practice may be a viable option for retraining. We investigated the effects of different practice schedules on skill learning in 6 men with TBI. Participants with significant impairments in processing and fine motor control practiced 3 tasks using a random (n = 3) or a blocked (n = 3) ordered practice schedule. Practice occurred for 55 min/day for 13 days with retention and transfer trials taking place 2 weeks after training. Both groups showed a significant increase in performance during skill acquisition and maintained this performance. Only the random-practice group, however, was able to transfer this learning to another task. The findings provide evidence that people with TBI can improve their everyday skills with randomly structured practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Rush University, 600 South Paulina, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. clare_giuffrida@rush.edu
authors.forename: Clare G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Demery
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lebowitz
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hanlon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D014163:Transfer, Psychology