Do people with severe traumatic brain injury benefit from making errors? A randomized control trial of the efficacy of error-based and errorless learning training

Error-based learning (EBL) involves the use of systematic feedback and other metacognitive techniques to teach people self-regulation skills (i.e., self-reflection, anticipation, self-monitoring and self-correction of errors) during task performance. Manualized treatment protocols have been developed for both interventions (errorless and error-based learning) from pilot research. Uniform elements of both error-based learning and errorless learning include: a) 8 weekly treatment sessions of approximately 90-120 minutes conducted in the participant’s own home; b) use of verbal reinforcement for correct performance; c) learning to prepare a main meal (a stir-fry) for the first 4 training sessions (1-4); and d) development of a set of errands for participants to learn in the home or community as the second multi-tasking training activity for the last 4 sessions (5-8). Occupational therapists experienced with working with individuals with brain injuries will administer the face-to-face, in home rehabilitation program.