BHS 499-07 Memory Improvement

Memory and Amnesia Memory Improvement z Improving normal memory • What works, what does not. z Improving memory in those with brain injury. • Unlike previously thought, research in the past 15 years shows that memory can be improved. • Functioning can also be improved. What Does Not Work z Hypnosis and new age approaches: • Suggestive Accelerated Learning and Teaching Techniques – SALTT • No evidence supporting value of physical relaxation techniques, alternation of active and passive review accompanied by music, suggestions that learning will be fun, songs and rhythms, cooperative learning, frequent self-testing – exam scores 40% below normal. What Works z Organizing the material to be learned. • Establishing a link between the items to be learned, so recall of one will cue the others. • Tree diagrams that capture a conceptual framework – use table of contents of book. z PQ4R method – elaborative rehearsal based on meaning (like PQRST). • Preview for structure, then read for answers to questions, repeatedly review. Mnemonics z Interactive imagery – bizarre is better. z First-letter mnemonics – Real Old Yokels Guzzle Beer In Volume (spectrum). z Rhymes – a before e, except after c. z Reduction mnemonics – strings of letters represent info in acronym or acrostic. • STOMACH – symptoms of anxiety disorder. More Mnemonics z Method of Loci – picture items in a familiar location. • Simonides remembered where guests were sitting after the roof collapsed. z Peg-word system – items are linked to a series of pre-learned pegs. z Face-name mnemonic – combines imagery with parts of face. More Mnemonics z Keyword method – link new vocabulary in a foreign language to some familiar image. • Herisson (hedgehog) = hairy son + hedgehog. z Yodai mnemonics – think of parts of a binominal as wrestlers in a match: • (a + b)(c + d) becomes ac + ad + bc + bd Memory and Practice z Distributed practice is better than massed practice. • Massed practice shows some benefits if there is a lengthy rest period afterward. • This doesn’t happen with “cramming”. z Lag effect -- spaced repetition helps but not simple repetition. • Encoding variability may be occurring, which strengthens memory. Remediation z Effects of remediation are modest, but very important to those with brain injury. z Ignorance about amnesia prevents use of residual memory capacities. • Because procedural memory is spared, a person with amnesia can learn to program a computer. Support Memory With Devices z Label drawers and cupboards. z Put reminder signs up in visible places. • Put things by the front door to be taken out. z Use a wall chart to show days of week and upcoming events. z Use a diary and write notes. z Make locations distinctive – paint doors different colors. More Suggestions z Put a flow-chart on the wall with instructions for searching for frequently lost items (e.g., keys). z Stick to a regular routine and keep the environment the same. z Keep a notepad by the telephone and use speed-dial features. z Display photos labeled with names. External Aids z External cuing devices must provide the reminder as close as possible to the time something is to be done. z It should specify what is to be done. • Knotted handkerchiefs are useless. z Timers with specific messages are ideal. Is Memory Like a Muscle? z Does repeated practice strengthen memory abilities? • No evidence of this – it improves a specific task but it does not generalize. z Teaching patients to use mnemonics produces better results. • However, patients do not seem to use these spontaneously in everyday life. Other Approaches z Expanded spaced retrieval – gradually expanding the time between spaced rehearsals showed improvement. z Vanishing cues – start by presenting prompts which gradually fade away. • Initially seemed promising but tests show no advantage over rote rehearsal. Memory Groups z People find out they aren’t the only ones having difficulty, gain support from sharing their problems with others. z No direct benefit in improving memory. z Members share their tips for coping with daily life, which is very useful.