A comparison of the content of memory rehabilitation groups for patients with neurological disabilities

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the fidelity of manualised group memory rehabilitation programmes for participants with neurological disabilities. A sample of 11 neurological patients with memory problems, enrolled in a randomised controlled trial comparing compensation, restitution and self-help treatments, were observed during group sessions. Time-sampling was used to record the activity of the participants and the content of the discussion at one minute intervals. There was a significant difference between groups in the amount of time the group leader and participants spent talking (p < .001). Participants in the compensation and restitution groups spent significantly more time in memory rehabilitation discussion than participants in the self-help group (p < .001). There was also a significant difference between the amount of time spent discussing internal and external memory aids in the compensation and restitution groups (p < .001). These results support the fidelity of the interventions provided. This study also highlights the usefulness of time-sampling as a method to record the content and activity in rehabilitation groups.

Keywords:

• Memory rehabilitation
• Effectiveness
• Time-sampling
• Treatment fidelity
• Brain damage