Computerized errorless learning-based memory rehabilitation for Chinese patients with brain injury: a preliminary quasi-experimental clinical design study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized, errorless learning-based memory rehabilitation program for Chinese patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: This study adopted a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design. A total of 37 patients with TBI were randomly assigned to a Computer-Assisted Memory Training Group (CAMG), a Therapist-administered Memory Training Group (TAMG) and a Control Group (CG). Except for the CG, the patients in both the CAMG and TAMG groups received, respectively, 1-month memory training programmes that were similar in content but differed in delivery mode. All patients were followed up 1 month after treatment. The outcome measures that were taken were the Neurobehavioural Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE or Cognistat), the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and The Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT). Repeated measure analyses were performed to investigate differences among the three groups.

Results: The patients in the Computer-assisted Memory Rehabilitation (CAMG) and Therapist-administered Memory Rehabilitation group (TAMG) were found to perform better than the CG in the NCSE and RBMT, but no significant differences were found between the CAMG and TAMG. The CAMG showed significant improvement in their HKLLT assessment as compared with the TAMG and CG. No statistically significant differences were found between the CAMG and TAMG when comparing the post-training outcome measures with the follow-up results.

Conclusion: There is no difference between CAMG and TAMG, but the efficacy has been demonstrated when comparing with CG. It is suggested that the combined use of an errorless learning and a computerized approach may be an effective way of enhancing the memories of patients with TBI. This new method may smooth the progress of the whole human memory process and produce a better carryover treatment effect.