None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This is a semi-randomised controlled trial that compares the effectiveness of an online telehealth versus face-to-face program aimed to improve memory functioning in people who have a condition affecting their cognitive abilities (e.g., memory, attention, etc.). In other words, will this telehealth memory intervention lead to improvements in memory problems and other psychological factors (e.g., satisfaction with participation in social roles). Participants will have the option to either elect do the program over telehealth only, or telehealth/face-to-face at Westmead Hospital. The structured group rehabilitation program consists of six weekly two-hour sessions, covering psychoeducation about the impact of neurological conditions on memory, training in compensatory memory strategies, and education on the influence of lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and sleep. The sessions involve interactive activities and homework tasks to practice and apply the learned skills in daily life.
Interventions
Participants will be delivered a manualised group rehabilitation program adapted from Radford et al.’s (2010) ‘Making the Most of your Memory: an Everyday Memory Skills Program’ for telehealth delivery (as detailed by Withiel et al., 2019). The program entails six weekly two-hour sessions, which includes psychoeducation on the impact of neurological conditions on memory, training in compensatory memory strategy, and education of the impact of lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep). Participants will also engage in interactive activities within the session and homework tasks between sessions in order to practice and apply learned skills in their daily contexts. This program will be delivered by an experienced neuropsychologist. A booster session (1-2hrs) will be offered to the group before the six-week follow-up assessment, administered by the same clinician who delivered the main intervention program. The booster group session will entail a summary of the main program along with discussion on the application of strategies within participant’s contexts. The intervention will be delivered over videoconferencing to group/s consisting of around 6 participants.
Sponsors
Chiara Pawela
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
The study will recruit participants who: • Are 18 years old and over; • Have been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder or suspected neurocognitive disorder; • Report memory difficulties confirmed by self, close-others, or referring clinicians; • Have a Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status Scale score of 0 to 1 or Karnofsky Performance Scale Index of >70; • Have access to a device (not mobile phone) that has a microphone, a webcam and can access online videoconferencing, • Are able to understand and speak English at a proficient level to participate in the intervention
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria entails the diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder or severe language/cognitive deficits that would prohibit adequate engagement with the intervention or assessment measures.
Outcome results
None listed