INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 03 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 09:30 am - 10:40 am Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma \| Neurovascular Final Abstract #8 Applying the KF-mSMT® to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Preliminary Analysis of Verbal Memory Performance Aubree Alexander, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States Silvana Costa, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States Jean Lengenfelder, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States John DeLuca, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, United States Nancy Chiaravalloti, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States Category: Cognitive Intervention/Rehabilitation Keyword 1: cognitive rehabilitation Keyword 2: memory training Keyword 3: pediatric neuropsychology Objective: Common cognitive sequelae following moderate to severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) include difficulties with learning and memory which may persist over time and influence academic success. Therefore, it is important to develop interventions aimed at addressing and improving learning and memory performance in children with TBI. In adult populations of individuals with TBI and other neurological conditions, the Kessler Foundation Modified Story Memory Technique (KF-mSMT^®) has been shown to improve verbal learning and memory performance. The current study evaluates the effect of a modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^® on verbal memory performance. Participants and Methods: The current study analyzes verbal memory performance of a subset of individuals who participated in a pilot study designed to evaluate the efficacy of a modified version of the KF-mSMT^® that is appropriate in content and vocabulary for children ages 9-17. The current analysis includes 7 participants with a history of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury who were randomly assigned to treatment group (n=4) or placebo group (n=3). Groups do not differ significantly in age, time since injury, or education. The current sample is 100% male participants. Treatment group is 75% Caucasian (n=3) and 25% Asian (n=1), and placebo group is 67% Caucasian (n=2) and 33% Black (n=1). Age-based published scaled scores are used in all analyses. Neuropsychological assessment was conducted at baseline and post-treatment. The outcome measure of interest was verbal learning and memory performance assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test for Children (CVLT-C). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine treatment effects. Each CVLT-C variable of interest was analyzed as a separate dependent variable with baseline performance as a covariate. Results: No significant differences were noted between groups on the following CVLT-C variables: Total Words Recalled Trials 1-5, Learning Slope Trials 1-5, Short Delay Free Recall, Long Delay Free Recall, or Recognition. There was a trend toward significance for Discriminability (F (1, 6) = 2.85, p=.166, partial eta square=.416); Semantic Clustering Ratio (F (1, 6) = 2.67, p=.178, partial eta square=.400); and Serial Clustering Ratio (F (1, 6) = 2.50, p=.189, partial eta square=.385). After accounting for the influence of baseline performance and analyzing group mean differences, individuals in the treatment group were more likely to show increased semantic clustering (more effective learning strategy) and decreased serial clustering (less effective learning strategy) following the modified pediatric KF-mSMT^®. Conclusions: This pilot study tested a modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^® on verbal memory performance. Conclusions are limited due to the small sample size. While group differences were observed via effect size on discriminability and semantic/serial clustering, further improvements were noted when examining individual participant data. Additional research with a larger and more representative sample is required to truly test the efficacy of the modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^®.

Poster

02/15/2024
09:30 am - 10:40 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma | Neurovascular

Final Abstract #8

Applying the KF-mSMT® to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Preliminary Analysis of Verbal Memory Performance

Aubree Alexander, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States
Silvana Costa, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States
Jean Lengenfelder, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States
John DeLuca, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, United States
Nancy Chiaravalloti, Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, United States

Category: Cognitive Intervention/Rehabilitation

Keyword 1: cognitive rehabilitation
Keyword 2: memory training
Keyword 3: pediatric neuropsychology

Objective:

Common cognitive sequelae following moderate to severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) include difficulties with learning and memory which may persist over time and influence academic success. Therefore, it is important to develop interventions aimed at addressing and improving learning and memory performance in children with TBI. In adult populations of individuals with TBI and other neurological conditions, the Kessler Foundation Modified Story Memory Technique (KF-mSMT^®) has been shown to improve verbal learning and memory performance. The current study evaluates the effect of a modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^® on verbal memory performance.

Participants and Methods:

The current study analyzes verbal memory performance of a subset of individuals who participated in a pilot study designed to evaluate the efficacy of a modified version of the KF-mSMT^® that is appropriate in content and vocabulary for children ages 9-17. The current analysis includes 7 participants with a history of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury who were randomly assigned to treatment group (n=4) or placebo group (n=3). Groups do not differ significantly in age, time since injury, or education. The current sample is 100% male participants. Treatment group is 75% Caucasian (n=3) and 25% Asian (n=1), and placebo group is 67% Caucasian (n=2) and 33% Black (n=1). Age-based published scaled scores are used in all analyses.

Neuropsychological assessment was conducted at baseline and post-treatment. The outcome measure of interest was verbal learning and memory performance assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test for Children (CVLT-C). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine treatment effects. Each CVLT-C variable of interest was analyzed as a separate dependent variable with baseline performance as a covariate.

Results:

No significant differences were noted between groups on the following CVLT-C variables: Total Words Recalled Trials 1-5, Learning Slope Trials 1-5, Short Delay Free Recall, Long Delay Free Recall, or Recognition. There was a trend toward significance for Discriminability (F (1, 6) = 2.85, p=.166, partial eta square=.416); Semantic Clustering Ratio (F (1, 6) = 2.67, p=.178, partial eta square=.400); and Serial Clustering Ratio (F (1, 6) = 2.50, p=.189, partial eta square=.385). After accounting for the influence of baseline performance and analyzing group mean differences, individuals in the treatment group were more likely to show increased semantic clustering (more effective learning strategy) and decreased serial clustering (less effective learning strategy) following the modified pediatric KF-mSMT^®.

Conclusions:

This pilot study tested a modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^® on verbal memory performance. Conclusions are limited due to the small sample size. While group differences were observed via effect size on discriminability and semantic/serial clustering, further improvements were noted when examining individual participant data. Additional research with a larger and more representative sample is required to truly test the efficacy of the modified pediatric version of the KF-mSMT^®.