Increased memory strategy use following attendance at a single-session 'memory group' intervention

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Purpose/Problem

To evaluate the efficacy of an outpatient memory group intervention that can practically be provided in an acute hospital setting.

Typical 'memory group' interventions often run over several sessions; the resources to facilitate this are not necessarily available in acute general hospital settings.

Method

Following an initial pilot study, a single-session memory group intervention is run regularly at GRH for outpatients. A questionnaire assessing use of the memory strategies covered is administered before the session and at one-month follow-up.

Results

Based on 106 completed before-and-after questionnaires, there is a statistically significant increase in the use of memory strategies following attendance at the group session, equating to an average per attendee of 2.4 more strategies used most days. In addition, a high proportion of attendees report feeling less distressed by their memory difficulties (74%) and more confident in managing their condition (78%). There is high patient satisfaction with attendance at the group (97%).

Conclusion

The results indicate that a single-session group intervention providing information about memory difficulties and describing/demonstrating the use of compensatory strategies is related to increased use of memory strategies at one-month follow-up. This suggests that it is a worthwhile use of resources in an acute general hospital setting in which limited time and resources are available.