A Clinical Pilot Study of Spaced Retrieval Practice with a Self-Generation Booster to Improve Health-Related Memory in Persons With HIV Disease. (30th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woods, Steven Paul; Babicz, Michelle A; Matchanova, Anastasia; Sullivan, Kelli L; Avci, Gunes; Hasbun, Rodrigo; Giordano, Thomas P; Fazeli, Pariya; Morgan, Erin E
• Is Part Of: Archives of clinical neuropsychology. Volume 36:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1296
• Page End: 1306
• Publication Date: 2021-01-30
• Subjects: Health literacy -- Neuropsychological assessment -- Cognitive impairment -- Declarative memory -- Rehabilitation -- Mnemonic learning; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acaa130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6177

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Spaced retrieval practice (SRP) and self-generation are among the most replicated and effective mnemonic strategies in the cognitive psychology literature, but their benefits have not yet been realized in healthcare settings. This study used a randomized, between-subjects design to examine the hypothesis that SRP with a self-generation booster can improve memory for health-related information among clinically referred persons with HIV (PWH), who often have difficulty acquiring new health knowledge. Method: A consecutive series of 41 PWH referred to a county-funded urban neuropsychology clinic were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to learn four statements about the treatment of a mock infectious disease in either a massed study control condition ( n = 20) or an SRP condition ( n = 21) in which they received two distributed free recall training tests supplemented with self-generation for missed items. The primary outcome was participants' free recall of the four treatment statements after a 20-minute delay filled with nonverbal tests. Results: PWH participants in the SRP condition were four times more likely than controls to recall at least one treatment statement at the 20-minute delay. SRP was not related to post-test recognition or health-related decision-making performance but was associated with moderately better self-efficacy for decision-making. Conclusions: Findings from this pilot study show the potential of SRP with a self-generation booster to improve learning and memory for health-related information among PWH in clinic.