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Retrieval practice: A simple strategy for improving memory after traumatic brain injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2010

JAMES F. SUMOWSKI ,
HALI G. WOOD ,
NANCY CHIARAVALLOTI ,
GLENN R. WYLIE ,
JEANNIE LENGENFELDER  and
JOHN DELUCA
JAMES F. SUMOWSKI*
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
HALI G. WOOD
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey
NANCY CHIARAVALLOTI
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
GLENN R. WYLIE
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
JEANNIE LENGENFELDER
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
JOHN DELUCA
Affiliation:
Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, UMDNJ –New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: James F. Sumowski, PhD, Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Laboratory, Kessler Foundation Research Center, 300 Executive Drive, Suite 10, West Orange, New Jersey 07052. Email: jsumowski@kesslerfoundation.org
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Abstract

Memory impairment is common following traumatic brain injury (TBI), but interventions to improve memory in persons with TBI have been ineffective. Retrieval practice is a robust memory strategy among healthy undergraduates, whereby practice retrieving information shortly after it is presented leads to better delayed recall than simple restudy. In a verbal paired associate paradigm, we investigated the effect of retrieval practice relative to massed and spaced restudy on delayed recall in 14 persons with chronic memory impairment following a TBI and 14 age-matched healthy controls. A significant learning condition (massed restudy, spaced restudy, retrieval practice) by group (TBI, healthy) interaction emerged, whereby only healthy controls benefited from spaced restudy (i.e., distributed learning) over massed restudy, but both groups greatly benefited from retrieval practice over massed and spaced restudy. That is, retrieval practice greatly improves memory in persons with TBI, even when other mnemonic strategies (e.g., distributed learning) are less effective. (JINS, 2010, 16, 1147–1150.)

Keywords

Traumatic brain injuryMemoryMemory disordersCognitionRehabilitationTesting effect
Type
Brief Communications
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 16 , Issue 6 , November 2010 , pp. 1147 - 1150
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2010

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