The effectiveness of training intellectual functions in adults with acquired brain damage. An evaluation of occupational therapy methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and maintenance of occupational therapy training of intellectual functions. Gain in generalization, by which is meant the transfer of newly-learned skills to novel but appropriate tasks, was also studied. Sixty-seven patients with acquired brain damage underwent 14 weeks of training in one of the following four groups, to which selection was randomized: Intellectual Function Training (IFT) plus a regular rehabilitation programme (R) (n = 15), Intellectual Housework Training (IHT) plus R (n = 19), and IFT + IHT + R (n = 15). The fourth group, which received regular rehabilitation only (R) (n = 18) was the control. A four-group, pretest-posttest, follow-up, controlled experimental test design was adopted. The training result was assessed with the Intellectual Function Assessment (IFA), the Intellectual Housework Assessment (IHA) and 15 psychometric tests. Comparison between the IFT, the IHT and the IFT + IHT groups respectively and the R group indicated some areas of function where individualized intellectual training was more effective than a regular rehabilitation programme of occupational therapy. The development of intellectual functions within each group was obvious in most areas, but less so within the R group than in the others. The maintenance of training effects could not be demonstrated satisfactorily. Generalization gains were demonstrated in 4/5 "theoretical" intellectual functional areas assessed with IFA, and in 3/7 "practical" intellectual functional areas assessed with IHA.