scholarly journals Boosting Autobiographical Memory and the Sense of Identity of Alzheimer Patients Through Repeated Reminiscence Workshops?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hervé Platel ◽  
Marie-Loup Eustache ◽  
Renaud Coppalle ◽  
Armelle Viard ◽  
Francis Eustache ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Individual Assessment ◽  
Sense Of Identity ◽  
Complementary Study

Despite severe amnesia, some studies showed that Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients with moderate to severe dementia keep a consistent, but impoverished representation of themselves, showing preservation of the sense of identity even at severe stages of the illness. Some studies suggest that listening to music can facilitate the reminiscence of autobiographical memories and that stimulating autobiographical memory would be relevant to support the self of these patients. Consequently, we hypothesized that repeated participation to reminiscence workshops, using excerpts of familiar songs as prompts would participate to the enrichment of autobiographical memories, self-representation and sense of identity. We included a group of 20 AD patients with severe dementia residing in nursing homes. Their performances were compared to a control group of 20 matched (age, education, mood) healthy residents living in the same institutions. The experiment was conducted in three phases over a 2-week period. On phase 1, an individual assessment of sense of identity was proposed to each participant. On phase 2, participants joined musical reminiscence workshops (six sessions over 2 weeks for AD patients and 3 sessions over a week for controls). During the third phase (12 days after the first assessment), individual evaluation of autobiographical memory and a second assessment of sense of identity were proposed. Our results showed that, despite their massive amnesia syndrome, autobiographical memories of AD reached at the end of the 2 weeks the number and quality of those of matched controls. Moreover, we confirmed a continuity of self-representation in AD patients with a stable profile of the answers between the first and second individual assessments of sense of identity. However, the increase in number and episodic quality of autobiographical memories was not accompanied by an enrichment of the sense of identity. In a complementary study, new patients participated in the same paradigm, but using movie extracts as prompts, and showed very similar effects. We discuss all of these results with regard to the literature showing the significant impact of repetition on the reactivation of memory traces even in very amnestic AD patients at severe stages of the disease.

scholarly journals A review of autobiographical memory studies on patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujia Zhang ◽  
Sara K. Kuhn ◽  
Laura Jobson ◽  
Shamsul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Memory Specificity ◽  
Autobiographical Memory Specificity ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders demonstrate various cognitive deficiencies, the most pertinent one being impairment in autobiographical memory. This paper reviews quantitative research investigating deficits in the content, and characteristics, of autobiographical memories in individuals with schizophrenia. It also examines if the method used to activate autobiographical memories influenced the results and which theoretical accounts were proposed to explain the defective recall of autobiographical memories in patients with schizophrenia. Methods PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were searched for articles published between January 1998 and December 2018. Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies implemented the generative retrieval strategy by inducing memories through cue words or pictures, the life-stage method, or open-ended retrieval method. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement guidelines were followed for this review. Results Most studies reported that patients with schizophrenia retrieve less specific autobiographical memories when compared to a healthy control group, while only three studies indicated that both groups performed similarly on memory specificity. Patients with schizophrenia also exhibited earlier reminiscence bumps than those for healthy controls. The relationship between comorbid depression and autobiographical memory specificity appeared to be independent because patients’ memory specificity improved through intervention, but their level of depression remained unchanged. The U-shaped retrieval pattern for memory specificity was not consistent. Both the connection between the history of attempted suicide and autobiographical memory specificity, and the relationship between psychotic symptoms and autobiographical memory specificity, remain inconclusive. Patients’ memory specificity and coherence improved through cognitive training. Conclusions The overgeneral recall of autobiographical memory by patients with schizophrenia could be attributed to working memory, the disturbing concept of self, and the cuing method implemented. The earlier reminiscence bump for patients with schizophrenia may be explained by the premature closure of the identity formation process due to the emergence of psychotic symptoms during early adulthood. Protocol developed for this review was registered in PROSPERO (registration no: CRD42017062643).

AwareCare: a pilot randomized controlled trial of an awareness-based staff training intervention to improve quality of life for residents with severe dementia in long-term care settings

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Clare ◽  
Rhiannon Whitaker ◽  
Robert T Woods ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
Hannah Jelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Term Care

ABSTRACTBackground: The extent to which care home residents with severe dementia show awareness is influenced by the extent to which the environment provides opportunities for engagement and by the way in which care staff interact with them. We aimed to establish whether training care staff to observe and identify signs of awareness in residents with severe dementia resulted in improved quality of life for residents.Methods: In this pilot cluster randomized trial, care staff in four homes (n = 32) received training and supervision and carried out structured observations of residents using the AwareCare measure (n = 32) over an eight-week period, while staff in four control homes (n = 33) had no training with regard to their residents (n = 33) and no contact with the research team. The primary outcome was resident quality of life. Secondary outcomes were resident well-being, behavior and cognition, staff attitudes and well-being, and care practices in the home.Results: Following intervention, residents in the intervention group had significantly better quality of life as rated by family members than those in the control group, but care staff ratings of quality of life did not differ. There were no other significant between-group differences. Staff participating in the intervention identified benefits in terms of their understanding of residents’ needs.Conclusions: Staff were able to use the observational measure effectively and relatives of residents in the intervention homes perceived an improvement in their quality of life.

Autobiographical memory and problem-solving strategies of parasuicide patients

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Evans ◽  
J. M. G. Williams ◽  
S. O'Loughlin ◽  
K. Howells
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Memory Recall ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Matched Control Group ◽  
Problem Solving Strategies ◽  
The Relationship

SYNOPSISRecent research has noted the tendency of parasuicide patients to retrieve over-general autobiographical memories. Separate studies suggest problem-solving deficits within this group.The present study was concerned first with replicating these findings and, secondly, with developing a model of the relationship between over-general memory recall and poor problem-solving abilities in parasuicide patients. Anger and hopelessness were measured as markers for mood.In line with the hypotheses, the parasuicide group (N = 12) produced significantly over-general memories in contrast to a matched control group (N = 12). This occurred significantly in relation to positive cues, and latency to first responses was significantly delayed in the parasuicide group. The parasuicide group also provided fewer and less-effective problem-solving strategies than the control group, and a significant association was found between low effectiveness of problem-solving strategies and over-general memory recall in the parasuicide group. Anger and hopelessness levels were significantly higher within the parasuicide group in line with previous findings.The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Chemistry analytical, fish micronuclei and onion chromosome damage for assessing treatment effect SBR in the Domžale–Kamnik central WWTP and quality of river Kamniška Bistrica

Caryologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Firbas
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Chemistry ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Treated Effluent ◽  
Biological Tests ◽  
Test Fish ◽  
Complementary Study

Abstract  The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the wastewater (WW), the effectiveness of the treatment used by the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with sequential batch reactors (SBR) technology, and whether its final treated effluent (FTE) can compromise the water quality of the river at the location where it is discharged. We focused our research on six examples. For analytical chemistry and Allium metaphase (M) test all six samples were collected. Of these, three are so-called biotechnological patterns (WW, WW after mechanical step treatment and FTE), and three are natural riverine environmental patterns. For the micronucleus (MN) test, fish specimens were collected from three sites in the river Kamniška Bistrica. The first two sites locations are up and down the FTE outlet. Results from these areas were compared to the third site (not polluted) reference site, the so-called natural control group. Complementary study with analytical chemistry and biological tests shows that the treatment effect SBR in the Domžale–Kamnik central WWTP carried effectively proved to be efficient for the removal of the cytogenotoxic substances in treated effluent and  consequently in aquatic environment.

Community day care with carer support versus usual nursing home-based day care: effects on needs, behavior, mood, and quality of life of people with dementia

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marijke van Haeften-van Dijk ◽  
Franka J. M. Meiland ◽  
Bart J. J. Hattink ◽  
Ton J. E. M. Bakker ◽  
Rose-Marie Dröes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Carer Support

ABSTRACTBackground:Several studies have shown that the combined community-based Meeting Centres Support Programme (MCSP) for people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers were more effective in reducing behavior and mood problems of people with dementia than traditional nursing home-based (NH) day care. We therefore investigated in this study whether community-based (CO) psychogeriatric day care for people with mild to severe dementia combined with carer support (in accordance with the MCSP), is more effective than regular NH day care.Methods:A pre-test–post-test control group design was used to compare the effect of CO and NH day care on care needs, behavior and mood problems, and quality of life of people with dementia. 138 dyads of people with mild to severe dementia and family carers participated in the study: 70 from (new and longer existing) CO day cares (experimental group), and 68 from NH day cares (control group). ANCOVAs were performed at post-tests, including baseline data as covariates.Results:After six months, no overall differences on outcome measures were found between CO and NH day cares. However, participants of recently started CO day cares showed fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, whereas carers in the longer existing CO day cares reported fewer care needs compared to the control group (large effects). Persons with dementia cohabiting with their carer benefitted most from CO day care.Conclusions:This study shows that combined CO day care has promising added value compared to NH day care, especially for participants with dementia cohabiting with their carer.

scholarly journals MY MESSAGE: CUSTOMIZED VISUAL CUES FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA USING ADAPTIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S1-S1
Author(s):  
Michael Skrajner ◽  
John Zeisel ◽  
gregg Gorzelle ◽  
Tom Albright ◽  
Sergei Gepshtein
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Display Technology

Abstract The My MESSAGE™ (MM) intervention visually conveys individualized messages to persons with dementia (PWD) on adaptive electronic displays in strategic locations activated by an approaching individual. MM aims to improve quality of life (QoL) and reduce challenging behaviors, especially repetitive questioning and wayfinding difficulties. For example, for a PWD who repeatedly asks when his/her daughter will visit, the monitors display a reassuring message, such as, “I love you and will visit soon.” A PWD who has trouble finding his/her bedroom, receives directions on the monitor. MM was tested in a Phase 1 STTR. The sample consisted of 22 PWD: 10 in Experimental Group (EG) and 12 in Control Group (CG). MM had positive immediate impacts on EG participants, with 100% exhibiting positive affect, 80% reduced agitation, 60% reduced anxiety, and 50% improved mood. MM had positive longer-term/generalized impacts on PWD, as well. For the CG, QoL (based on the Dementia Quality of Life Scale) tended to decline from baseline to post-treatment for the CG (p=0.053); with no decline in the EG. Agitation (based on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory) tended to increase in the CG (p=0.057); no change was found in the EG. There was a significant decrease in neuropsychiatric symptoms (based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home) for the EG (p=.040); no change was detected for the CG. The results suggest that MM is worthy of further development and evaluation in a planned Phase 2 study.

scholarly journals Reminiscence groupwork and autobiographical memory as part of meaningful activities

Groupwork ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Allen ◽  
Mary Lee Tully ◽  
Desmond O’Neill ◽  
Richard A.P. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Memory Recall ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
The Past ◽  
With Memory

The current paper describes a reminiscence group activity session held as part of meaningful activities engagement for older adults. Topics of reminiscence included both autobiographical memories and memories of broader historical events from the past. Participants included those with memory impairment and those without, and participants with healthy memory were helpful in prompting memories in participants with memory impairment. Semantic and episodic autobiographical memory were assessed at baseline and following the end of both group activities, using the Episodic Autobiographical Memory Interview (EAMI) and quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life AD-scale (QOL-AD). The reminiscence intervention did not significantly affect autobiographical memory recall or quality of life. However, oral reminiscence was reported to have increased outside of the reminiscence sessions.

Epistemic and relational conflicts in sharing identical vs. complementary information during cooperative learning

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Darnon ◽  
Céline Buchs ◽  
Fabrizio Butera
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complementary Information ◽  
Relational Conflict ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University

When interacting on a learning task, which is typical of several academic situations, individuals may experience two different motives: Understanding the problem, or showing their competences. When a conflict (confrontation of divergent propositions) emerges from this interaction, it can be solved either in an epistemic way (focused on the task) or in a relational way (focused on the social comparison of competences). The latter is believed to be detrimental for learning. Moreover, research on cooperative learning shows that when they share identical information, partners are led to compare to each other, and are less encouraged to cooperate than when they share complementary information. An epistemic vs. relational conflict vs. no conflict was provoked in dyads composed by a participant and a confederate, working either on identical or on complementary information (N = 122). Results showed that, if relational and epistemic conflicts both entailed more perceived interactions and divergence than the control group, only relational conflict entailed more perceived comparison activities and a less positive relationship than the control group. Epistemic conflict resulted in a more positive perceived relationship than the control group. As far as performance is concerned, relational conflict led to a worse learning than epistemic conflict, and - after a delay - than the control group. An interaction between the two variables on delayed performance showed that epistemic and relational conflicts were different only when working with complementary information. This study shows the importance of the quality of relationship when sharing information during cooperative learning, a crucial factor to be taken into account when planning educational settings at the university.

Results of osteopathic correction of patients with post-traumatic coccygodynia

2019 ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Yu. V. Antonova ◽  
A. M. Iskandarov ◽  
I. B. Mizonova
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Diffi Cult ◽  
Osteopathic Treatment ◽  
Post Traumatic

Introduction.Coccygodynia is a multidisciplinary disease which is diffi cult to treat. It seriously limits the ability to work and signifi cantly affects the quality of life of patients. The study of somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and the analysis of the results of osteopathic treatment of such patients makes it possible to justify the necessity of osteopathic correction of coccygodynia.Goal of the study— to determine the structure of the leading somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and to study the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment of this pathology.Materials and methods.The study involved 44 patients from 25 to 65 years old, randomly divided into two groups. The main group of 24 people (20 women and 4 men) received osteopathic treatment, in accordance with the identifi ed leading somatic dysfunctions. Patients of the control group (16 women and 4 men) were treated locally with soft manual techniques (the treatment area was limited by the pelvic region). In order to assess the results of the treatment, we examined the intensity of the pain syndrome and the psycho-emotional state of patients. The severity of the pain syndrome was assessed in accordance with the visual analogue scale (VAS). The psycho-emotional state (with physical and mental components) was assessed with the help of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire.Results.Somatic dysfunctions typical for patients with coccygodynia have been identifi ed. Osteopathic treatment has proven to be more effective in comparison with local manual therapy of coccygodynia both in early periods and in 3 months after the end of the treatment course.Conclusion.Osteopathic treatment of post-traumatic coccygodynia is effective, and can be recommended for treatment of such patients.

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