Working memory after stroke

Research Objectives: To determine the effect of working memory training on working memory after ischemic stroke

Design: Experimental study - Clinical trial with follow up after three months.

Setting: Instituto Neurológico de Colombia

Participants: 32 participants with ischemic stroke

Interventions: Experimental intervention: Software Braining administered during 12 weeks. High level of difficulty
Active Control intervention: Software Braining administered during 12 weeks. Low level of difficulty.

Main Outcome Measures: Working memory performance

Results: Significant differences were only found in sequencing digit span (M = 5.37; SD = 1.0; M = 6.81; SD = 1.8 (p= 0.014), (d=1.0) in the active control group. The intervention group found significant differences in the working memory index (M = 34.0; SD = 16.7; M = 57.8; SD = 25.4 (p= 0.004), (d=1.13). Besides, differences were noted in forward (M = 6.93; SD = 1.3; M = 8.31; SD = 2.1 (p= 0.041), (d=0.81), backward (M = 6.43; SD = 1.5; M = 8.32; SD = 2.0) (p= 0.005), (d=1.1) and sequencing digit span (M = 6.50; SD = 1.8; M = 8.31; SD = 2.1) (p= 0.015), (d=0.92). Finally, differences were also found in the forward corsi block-tapping test (Mdn = 3.5; IQR = (3-4); Mdn = 4.0; IQR = (4-5) (p= 0.001), (d=1.38) and backward version (Mdn= 3.0; IQR = (3-3); (Mdn = 4.0; IQR = (4.0-4.2) (p= 0.000), (d=1.91).

Conclusions: Working memory can improve after working memory training however far transfer effects (instrumental activities of daily living) can be improved by increasing the amount of training. This training is effective in ischemic stroke population and other populations should be assessed according to their particular features.

Author(s) Disclosures: None at this time