|
| Spaced Retrieval: Theory and Applications |
| Tuesday, August 14, 2007 |
| 1:30 PM–2:50 PM |
| L4 Room 2 |
| Area: DEV; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Chair: Cameron J. Camp (Myers Research Institute) |
| Discussant: Michael Bird (Greater Southern Area Health Service) |
| Abstract: This symposium will review the theory underlying the development of Spaced-Retrieval (SR), a method of learning and retaining information by successfully recalling that information over increasingly longer periods of time. It is, in essence, a shaping paradigm applied to memory, and may be viewed as one variant of the general “spacing effect” (e.g., spaced practice results in superior learning compared to massed practice) and/or the “testing effect” (e.g., learning can be facilitated through repeated testing). This learning paradigm and the development of its application to training functional goals in populations with various disorders will be outlined. Two experimental studies of the effects of SR compared with another typical treatment will be described; one will compare the efficacy of goal attainment using SR or cuing hierarchies and the other will evaluate SR and an attention control condition during teletherapy. Our discussant will address implications for the further development and clinical application of this intervention, as well as its potential use as an educational tool. |
| |
| Spaced Retrieval: Theory and Applications. |
| CAMERON J. CAMP (Myers Research Institute) |
| Abstract: Spaced-Retrieval (SR) is a method of learning and retaining information by successfully recalling that information over increasingly longer periods of time. It is, in essence, a shaping paradigm applied to memory, and may be viewed as one variant of the general “spacing effect” (e.g., spaced practice results in superior learning compared to massed practice) and/or the “testing effect” (e.g., learning can be facilitated through repeated testing). This presentation will review the theory underlying the development of this learning paradigm and the development of its application to training functional goals in populations with dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, vascular dementia), traumatic brain injury, CVA, HIV, diabetes, and other groups with cognitive impairments. Key elements in the successful application of SR, and pitfalls to be avoided, will be delineated. The issue of the effects of using expanding versus equally spaced recall intervals will be examined, both from a theoretical and a pragmatic perspective. In addition, we will survey the wide variety of clinical goals that have been achieved using SR. Finally, implications for further development and clinical application of this intervention, as well as its potential use as an educational tool, will be discussed. |
| |
| Comparison of Learning Approaches in Dementia Treatment: Spaced Retrieval or Cuing Hierarchies? |
| MICHELLE S. BOURGEOIS (Florida State University), Cameron J. Camp (Myers Research Institute) |
| Abstract: This presentation will describe an investigation of the relative effectiveness of SR and Cuing Hierarchies techniques for goal attainment in speech pathology treatment of persons with dementia. The traditional treatment approach in speech pathology across a variety of therapy goals is the cueing hierarchy, prompting and rehearsal of target information technique. Treatment goal attainment was compared when 49 persons with dementia were trained using these two approaches. Treatment protocols for fact retrieval and strategy learning goals were counterbalanced across both training conditions.
Results revealed that during 1,778 therapy sessions, clients received training toward a total of 187 goals, including both strategy learning and fact recall/naming goals. Clients were more likely to master goals trained with Spaced-Retrieval than with Cuing Hierarchies, especially for less experienced therapists. Clients mastered strategy learning and fact recall/naming goals equally well. Goal mastery was not related to cognitive functioning, number of sessions, or total number of trials across sessions. |
| |
| Spaced Retrieval TeleTherapy for Persons with Chronic TBI. |
| MICHELLE S. BOURGEOIS (Florida State University), Lyn Turkstra (University of Wisconsin, Madison), Kerry Lenius (Florida State University) |
| Abstract: The effects of Spaced Retrieval (SR) training delivered over the phone on the everyday memory problems of subjects with chronic TBI were investigated in an experimental treatment-control group study. Experimental subjects received SR training on 3 goals; their paired control subject received the same total amount of therapy discussing the use a variety of compensatory memory strategies without SR techniques. Results indicate that SR participants achieved 100% goal mastery, 97% goal maintenance and 63% generalization of mastered goals at 1-month follow-up compared to control subjects who reported 36% use of strategies and 26% generalization of strategies at 1-month. In addition, this study examined TBI patient-proxy agreement on subjective and objective measures and evaluated the potential effect of memory and executive function training on patient-proxy congruence as a function of treatment group status and severity of memory impairment. Results revealed that greater agreement at on the objective measures at baseline and after treatment. Agreement was not found to be associated with memory impairment severity of the patient. |
|
| |