Abstracts

Rationale: Although the prevalence of memory related impairment is estimated to be as high as 20-50% in persons with epilepsy (PWE), research assessing the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation (CR) for persons with epilepsy (PWE) is limited (Farina, Raglio, & Giovagnoli, 2015). Whether chronic epilepsy, anti-epileptic drugs, or psychological comorbidities are a contributing factor, deficits in learning and memory affect quality of life (Perrine et al., 1995), and are one important reason PWE have difficulty completing their education and gaining/maintaining competitive employment. The aim of this study is to outline the development and impact of a 6-week group CR program designed to improve memory function in PWE.Methods: The empirically validated CR program, “Making the Most of Your Memory: An Everyday Memory Skills Program” (Richardson, Lah, Say, Thayer, & Harlow, 2009) was adapted and modified to include components of another CR program, “Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Training” (Twamley, Jak, Delis, Bondi, & Lohr, 2014), as well as specific information regarding epilepsy and findings of recent research. The initial format was modified to include printouts of the presentation and subjects were provided a binder and notebook for note taking and organization of program materials. Group meetings were designed to last approximately 2 hours, to be held once a week for 6 weeks. Each session included an educational component, practice of internal and external memory strategies, and a life-style issue (e.g. sleep). Between sessions, subjects were assigned homework. Additionally, subjects completed pre and post intervention rating forms as well as an intervention evaluation form at the end of the program.Results: In the validation phase, 4 PWE with memory complaints were recruited prospectively. Mean age was 46 (range 34-60); mean education was 14.8 years; 75% were women. Of these, one participant completed only 4/6 sessions due to work-related obligations. Following the final session, the remaining 3 subjects completed an evaluation form that included both open-ended questions and Likert-scale items. Evaluations indicated subjects were satisfied with the program and felt the intervention had helped their everyday memory. Responses to open-ended questions indicated that subjects appreciated the group dynamic and valued learning about ways to improve their memory. Subjects found all components of the program useful, including comments by others, the psychoeducation components, and the information on lifestyle issues such as sleep, exercise, diet, etc. Additionally, subjective memory performance on a 5-point Likert scale (“very poor” to “very good”) showed a 1-pt increase from pre (mean = 2) to post (mean = 3). Furthermore, subjects indicated they were using new memory strategies such as clustering, name associations, and the method of loci.Conclusions: These results provide encouraging data in support of further development of CR for PWE. Objective data regarding pre-/post-intervention memory functioning will be presented.