Imagery mnemonics for the rehabilitation of memory: A randomised group controlled trial

Apart from a few, encouraging, single-case studies, evidence of imagery-based mnemonics for the rehabilitation of memory in brain-damaged individuals is sparse. The literature suggests that if imagery is of any use, then it should be applied to mildly memory impaired patients, the learning process should be tailored and a direct transfer training to individual memory problems should be implemented into the training. We compared the outcome of such a programme (nine memory impaired patients) with other approaches to the rehabilitation of memory used in participating centres (12 memory impaired patients). After 4 weeks of baseline and a repeated test battery patients received 30 single sessions of therapy in 10 weeks. Results suggest that imagery training significantly improves delayed recall of everyday relevant verbal materials (stories, appointments). Frequency of memory problems observed by relatives is reduced and each of these effects is stable at 3-month follow-up. This study suggests that a simple imagery technique can improve relevant aspects of everyday verbal memory performance.