Treating memory problems in adults with neurogenic communication disorders

Historical approaches to memory therapy have focused on rehearsal or "relearning" of memory skills and on compensation for impairments. Whereas the use of rehearsal-based approaches has received little empirical support, the use of external compensatory devices has proved helpful to patients with a variety of neurogenic communication disorders. More recent approaches have capitalized on advances in cognitive psychology, permitting the identification of strengths and weaknesses in specific memory functions, and increasing our understanding of the role of response errors in the therapy process. These advances, together with applied behavioral analysis, allow therapy to be tailored to the cognitive profile of an individual patient, and help explain the successes and failures of earlier techniques. In this article, both historical and current approaches are discussed, and memory therapy guidelines are suggested.