Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a memory rehabilitation program. To compare different outcome measures.
Participants: Twelve patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation service.
Main outcome measures: Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (REY), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), and the Memory Failures in Everyday Memory Questionnaire (MFE).
Statistical analysis: Exact nonparametric procedures.
Results: All patients achieved meaningful functional gains. Modest improvements were found in some of the scales of the CVLT but not in the REY, RBMT, or MFE.
Conclusion: Functional gains did not correlate with improvement in memory processes. Measurement of changes in independence in activities of daily living mediated by compensatory aids and educational intervention plans with relatives are proposed.