title: Does a Simple Intervention Enhance Memory and Adherence for Neuropsychological Recommendations?
abstract: The variables that influence the extent to which patients and their families remember and follow neuropsychological recommendations after their appointments are unclear. There has been limited research on this topic. The current study was designed to address this knowledge gap. Patients (n = 79) and caregivers (n = 36) were randomized into 1 of 2 groups, letter or no-letter, to investigate whether providing a supplemental written reminder of the recommendations given (in addition to routine feedback procedures in our clinic) would improve memory for and adherence to recommendations. We found that recall of recommendations was better in the letter condition, although this effect was observed in the caregivers and not in the patients. Adherence to recommendations did not differ significantly between the letter and no-letter conditions. These findings show that a simple intervention can improve caregiver memory for recommendations. Future research could help determine how to translate improvements in memory into greater adherence.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meth
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa.|b Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , Louisiana.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calamia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa.|c Department of Neurology, Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience , University of Iowa College of Medicine , Iowa City , Iowa.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tranel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: feedback; intervention; neuropsychological assessment