None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Approximately half of all survivors of stroke experience memory impairment, which can significantly impact functional independence and quality of life. Two different approaches have typically been implemented in an effort to rehabilitate memory: restoration (computer based training) and compensation (group based training). Overall, there is no clear consensus as to whether either computer-based training or compensatory approaches to memory rehabilitation are effective or efficient for stroke patients. As a result, many survivors of stroke are purchasing costly computer training programs with unknown effectiveness. At Monash University, we are currently running a randomised controlled trial to explore the efficacy and cost efficiency of different approaches to memory rehabilitation post stroke. Eligible participants will be randomised into a waitlist control,memory group or computer training group and will receive free memory rehabilitation over a six week period. In doing so we aim to explore the most cost-efficient and effective way in which memory can be rehabilitated post stroke, thereby addressing a clear gap in service provision.
Interventions
Participants will be randomly allocated into one of three conditions; restoration, compensation or a wait list control group. Participants allocated into the restoration condition will be asked to complete six weeks of computer memory training while participants in the compensation condition will be asked to attend a face to face memory group once a week for six weeks. Further details of each respective intervention are provided below.
For the computer memory training (i.e. restoration condit
Participants will be randomly allocated into one of three conditions; restoration, compensation or a wait list control group. Participants allocated into the restoration condition will be asked to complete six weeks of computer memory training while participants in the compensation condition will be asked to attend a face to face memory group once a week for six weeks. Further details of each respective intervention are provided below. For the computer memory training (i.e. restoration condition), participants will be required to complete a project specific suite of memory games developed in collaboration with Lumos labs. Training is completed on a computer at home for 30 minutes, five times per week for six weeks. Participants can flexibly decide upon which days and times to train . There are 13 different memory games that form apart of the training, with each session alternating between these games. Researchers will be in regular contact with participants throughout the 6 week training period to address any concerns or technical complications. Frequency of training will be monitored electronically by researchers. For the group memory sessions (i.e. compensation), participants will be required to attend a face to face memory skills group for 2 hours on a weekday for a six week period. The groups are held in Notting Hill, the Austin Hospital and Monash Health sites and are run by neuropsychologists who have experience in the field of brain injury. Groups provide participants with education surrounding the impact of stroke on memory and cover a number of strategies that aim to minimise the impact of these changes on daily functioning. For instance, the group covers strategies that may be helpful to remember peoples names. Compliance with group training will be monitored using a register of attendance at each session. We will attempt to match participants to the closest group where possible. Finally all participants will be asked to complete 'pen and paper' memory tasks immediately prior to the rehabilitation, immediately following the rehabilitation and at a six week follow up.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
*diagnosis of stroke occurring at least three months prior to the intervention start date *Sufficient English language and cognition to ensure successful and valid completion of outcome measures and rehabilitation *Access to a computer and the internet and computer proficiency necessary to navigate through an online platform of training *Subjective (self or other) memory complaints *Ability to attend weekly memory groups held at Notting Hill, the Austin hospital or Monash Health sites
Exclusion criteria
*History of other neurological conditions such as epilepsy and traumatic brain injury *Diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment *Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) rather than stroke *History of psychiatric or medical issues impacting upon cognition
Outcome results
None listed