An efficacy study of memory training for patients with closed-head injury

Abstract

Abstract Ten patients with histories of closed-head injury with persistent amnesia were given courses of memory training in list recall and face-name associations. The list-learning technique involved embedding words into high imagery stories, and the face-name association technique utilized an imagery technique in which physical features of faces were associated with names. In both cases, generalization of learning was encouraged by changing training materials over sessions. Subjects increased their ability to recall lengthy lists despite the fact that the list items were changed at each session during the last seven sessions of the 15-session training course. Learning efficiency was also increased on the face-naming procedure, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in trials needed to learn a series of eight face-name associations.