Training van het geheugenzelfvertrouwen na een CVA*

Objective

To study whether a memory self-efficacy (MSE) training program for patients after stroke has a positive effect on memory self-efficacy, depression and quality of life.

Design

Randomized controlled trial (Dutch Trial Registry: 1656).

Method

Patients between the ages of 18 and 80 who had experienced a stroke at least 18 months prior to the study and who had subjectively reported memory defects were randomized to an MSE training program or a control group. The program consisted of 9 lessons focused on training memory strategies and cognitive behavioural therapy focused on how to cope better with memory defects. The control group had contact with fellow participants in sessions of the same intensity and duration as the MSE training. The effects on memory self-efficacy, depression and quality of life were measured immediately after training and after 6 and 12 months. Demographic and clinical variables such as age and severity of the stroke were listed to assess potential predictors of MSE outcome in the experimental group.

Results

A total of 153 patients were included. Memory self-efficacy and psychological quality of life significantly improved after the MSE training in patients aged

Conclusion

Training memory self-efficacy is effective after a stroke and has positive effects on the psychological quality of life in younger patients. MSE training is a valuable cognitive behavioural addition to rehabilitation treatment for stroke patients with memory problems.

Conflict of interest and financial support: disclosure forms provided by the authors are available along with the full text of this article at www.ntvg.nl, search for A6222; click on ‘Belangenverstrengeling’ (‘Conflict of interest’). This research was financially supported by the Kinderrevalidatie Fonds Adriaanstichting.