Piloting a bespoke memory toolkit: Intervention for children following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children causes long-term impairment in cognition and behaviour, with memory difficulties commonly reported as having the biggest impact on quality of life. Despite this, there is little research on clinical intervention to treat these difficulties. The paediatric neurocognitive interventions (PNI) model offers a framework for planning interventions, accounting for developmental and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate clinical interventions for children with memory impairments following TBI, using the PNI framework. Five children (8–15 years old) with TBI and memory impairments were randomised to two groups in a multiple baseline design. A six-week, one-hour-per-week, toolkit intervention for memory impairment was delivered to all children. Interventions included psychoeducation, mnemonic strategies and environmental adjustments. Participants were evaluated at three, two-monthly time points. Results indicated that, whilst memory performance itself may not be readily remediated, the everyday difficulties experienced by children with TBI can be improved through brief bespoke clinical interventions.