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.

PARTICIPANTS

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.

DESIGN

Non randomized pre/posttest group comparison design.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

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.