A controlled treatment study of internal memory strategies (I-MEMS) following traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of participation in a memory group intervention focusing on internal strategy use on persons with traumatic brain injury-related memory impairment.


METHODS
Ninety-four adults with traumatic brain injury (54 in the experimental group and 40 controls) and resulting memory impairment, with severities ranging from mild to severe. All participants were at least 18 years of age at the time of injury and at least 1 year post injury at the time of study.


METHODS
Non randomized pre/posttest group comparison design.


METHODS
Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test II.


RESULTS
Participation in the memory group intervention was associated with improved memory performance immediately postintervention, and improvements were maintained 1 month postintervention. Severe injury was associated with less improvement in memory outcomes than mild and moderate injuries. Age and preinjury education were not related to outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with traumatic brain injury may benefit from memory group intervention focusing on internal strategy use. Study hypotheses should be retested using a randomized, controlled design, and further research is needed to better delineate influences on intervention candidacy and outcomes.
O'Neil-Pirozzi
Therese M
TM
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. t.oneil-pirozzi@neu.edu
Strangman
Gary E
GE
Goldstein
Richard
R
Katz
Douglas I
DI
Savage
Cary R
CR
Kelkar
Kalika
K
Supelana
Christina
C
Burke
David
D
Rauch
Scott L
SL
Glenn
Mel B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult