Do improved patient recall and the provision of memory support enhance treatment adherence?

Optimizing outcomes, mechanisms, and recall of Cognitive Therapy for depression: Dose of constructive memory support strategies

OBJECTIVE

Poor memory for treatment is associated with worse patient outcomes. Therapist use of constructive memory support strategies, which help patients actively engage with treatment content, may improve patient memory for treatment. We sought to identify the dose of constructive memory support needed to optimize treatment outcomes, mechanisms, and patient recall.

METHOD

Adults with major depressive disorder (N = 178, mean age = 37.9, 63% female, 17% Hispanic or Latino/a) were randomized to Cognitive Therapy plus a Memory Support Intervention or Cognitive Therapy as usual. Because therapists from both groups used constructive memory support, treatment conditions were combined to maximize data. Depression and overall impairment were assessed before treatment, immediately post-treatment (POST), and six (6FU) and 12 months (12FU) after treatment. Patients completed measures of treatment mechanisms - utilization/competency in Cognitive Therapy skills - and treatment recall at POST, 6FU, and 12FU. Patient adherence to treatment was averaged across sessions.

RESULTS

Using Kaplan-Meier Survival Analyses, the optimal dose of constructive memory support was eight uses per session (sensitivity analysis range: 5-12 uses). Pre-treatment depression symptoms and patient perceptions of treatment may impact the optimal dose.

CONCLUSION

Eight uses of constructive memory support by therapists per session may optimize treatment outcomes, mechanisms, and recall over the long-term.

A randomized controlled trial of patient recall after detailed written consent versus standard verbal consent in adults with routine orthopaedic trauma

Patient decision aids have previously demonstrated an improvement in the quality of the informed consent process. This study assessed the effectiveness of detailed written patient information, compared to standard verbal consent, in improving postoperative recall in adult orthopaedic trauma patients. This randomized controlled feasibility trial was conducted at two teaching hospitals within the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) pending orthopaedic trauma surgery between March 2021 and September 2021 were recruited and randomized to detailed or standard methods of informed consent using a random sequence concealed in sealed, opaque envelopes. The detailed group received procedure-specific written information in addition to the standard verbal consent. The primary outcome was total recall, using a seven-point interview-administered recall questionnaire at 72 hours postoperatively. Points were awarded if the participant correctly recalled details of potential complications (maximum three points), implants used (maximum three points), and postoperative instructions (maximum one point). Secondary outcomes included the anxiety subscale of the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS-A) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain collected at 24 hours preoperatively and 72 hours postoperatively. Additionally, the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (PSQ-18) measured satisfaction at 72 hours postoperatively. A total of 60 patients were randomized, 32 to the standard group and 28 to the detailed group. Patients in the detailed group had significantly higher total recall score compared to the standard group (mean difference 1.29 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 2.08); p = 0.002). There were no differences in HADS-A (mean difference 0.39 (95% CI -2.11 to 2.88); p = 0.757), VAS pain (mean difference 5.71 (95% CI -22.25 to 11.11); p = 0.499), or PSQ-18 (mean difference 0.499; 95% CI -1.6 to 3.42; p = 0.392). Detailed written tools are useful in improving postoperative recall in adult orthopaedic trauma patients.

Serial Mediators of Memory Support Strategies Used With Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Improving Outcomes Through Patient Adherence and Treatment Skills

Patient memory for treatment is poor. Memory support strategies can be integrated within evidence-based psychological treatments to improve patient memory for treatment, and thereby enhance patient outcomes. The present study evaluated possible mechanisms of these memory support strategies. Specifically, we tested whether therapist use of memory support strategies indirectly predicts improved patient outcomes via serial improvements in (a) patient adherence throughout treatment and (b) patient utilization and competency of treatment skills. Adults with major depressive disorder (N = 178, mean age = 37.93, 63% female, 17% Hispanic or Latino) were randomized to Cognitive Therapy plus a Memory Support Intervention or Cognitive Therapy-as-usual. Because therapists from both treatment groups used memory support strategies, data from conditions were combined. Blind assessments of depression severity and overall impairment were conducted before treatment, immediately posttreatment (POST), at 6-month follow-up (6FU), and at 12-month follow-up (12FU). Patient adherence to treatment was rated by therapists and averaged across treatment sessions. Patients completed measures of treatment mechanisms-namely, utilization and competency in cognitive therapy skills-at POST, 6FU, and 12FU. Results of serial mediation models indicated that more therapist use of memory support predicted lower depression severity at POST, 6FU, and 12FU indirectly and sequentially through (a) increased patient adherence during treatment and (b) more utilization and competency of Cognitive Therapy skills at POST, 6FU, and 12FU. The same patterns were found for serial mediation models predicting lower overall impairment at POST, 6FU, and 12FU. Together, boosting memory for treatment may represent a promising means to enhance pantreatment mechanisms (i.e., adherence and treatment skills) as well as patient outcomes.

Time is a great healer: Peak-end memory bias in anxiety - Induced by threat of shock

Recently, we demonstrated that the peak-end memory bias, which is well established in the context of pain, can also be observed in anxiety: Retrospective evaluations of a frightening experience are worse when peak anxiety is experienced at the end of an episode. Here, we set out to conceptually replicate and extend this finding with rigorous experimental control in a threat of shock paradigm. We induced two intensity levels of anxiety by presenting visual cues that indicated different strengths of electric stimuli. Each of the 59 participants went through one of two conditions that only differed in the order of moderate and high threat phases. As a manipulation check, orbicularis-EMG to auditory startle probes, electrodermal activity, and state anxiety confirmed the effects of the specific threat exposure. Critically, after some time had passed, participants for whom exposure had ended with high threat reported more anxiety for the entire episode than those for whom it ended with moderate threat. Moreover, they ranked their experience as more aversive when compared to other unpleasant everyday experiences. This study overcomes several previous limitations and speaks to the generalizability of the peak-end bias. Most notably, the findings bear implications for exposure therapy in clinical anxiety.

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise and Patient Education on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomised, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial with a 6-Month Follow-Up

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise plus patient therapeutic education on perceived fatigue, functional capacity and pain in breast cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue. A randomised, single-blind, clinical trial was conducted with a total of 80 breast cancer survivors who presented cancer-related fatigue. Women were randomised into a supervised therapeutic exercise group (STE-G) (n = 40) or an unsupervised exercise group (UE-G) (n = 40). Both interventions included patient therapeutic education and were delivered in three sessions per week over eight weeks. The main outcome was perceived fatigue as assessed by the Spanish version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue subscale (FACIT-F). Other evaluated outcomes were pain measured on a visual analogue scale, and distance measured using the 6-Minute Walk Test. Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at three and six months after baseline. Significantly greater improvements across all variables were observed in the STE-G throughout the entire follow-up period with the exception of pain. Conclusions: A supervised therapeutic exercise program plus patient therapeutic education significantly reduce perceived fatigue and increase functional capacity in breast cancer survivors suffering from cancer-related fatigue compared to an unsupervised physical exercise program based on individual preferences with patient therapeutic education.

Does information structuring improve recall of discharge information? A cluster randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

The impact of the quality of discharge communication between physicians and their patients is critical on patients' health outcomes. Nevertheless, low recall of information given to patients at discharge from emergency departments (EDs) is a well-documented problem. Therefore, we investigated the outcomes and related benefits of two different communication strategies: Physicians were instructed to either use empathy (E) or information structuring (S) skills hypothesizing superior recall by patients in the S group.

METHODS

For the direct comparison of two communication strategies at discharge, physicians were cluster-randomized to an E or a S skills training. Feasibility was measured by training completion rates. Outcomes were measured in patients immediately after discharge, after 7, and 30 days. Primary outcome was patients' immediate recall of discharge information. Secondary outcomes were feasibility of training implementation, patients' adherence to recommendations and satisfaction, as well as the patient-physician relationship.

RESULTS

Of 117 eligible physicians, 80 (68.4%) completed the training. Out of 256 patients randomized to one of the two training groups (E: 146 and S: 119) 196 completed the post-discharge assessment. Patients' immediate recall of discharge information was superior in patients in the S-group vs. E-group. Patients in the S-group adhered to more recommendations within 30 days (p = .002), and were more likely to recommend the physician to family and friends (p = .021). No differences were found on other assessed outcome domains.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Immediate recall and subsequent adherence to recommendations were higher in the S group. Feasibility was shown by a 69.6% completion rate of trainings. Thus, trainings of discharge information structuring are feasible and improve patients' recall, and may therefore improve quality of care in the ED.

Neurocognitive Predictors of Treatment Outcomes in Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Study Protocol

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, debilitating, and costly psychiatric disorder. Evidenced-based psychotherapies, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), are effective in treating PTSD, although a fair proportion of individuals show limited benefit from such treatments. CPT requires cognitive demands such as encoding, recalling, and implementing new information, resulting in behavioral change that may improve PTSD symptoms. Individuals with PTSD show worse cognitive functioning than those without PTSD, particularly in acquisition of verbal memory. Therefore, memory dysfunction may limit treatment gains in CPT in some individuals with PTSD.

Methods and Analysis

Here, we present a protocol describing the Cognition and PsychoTherapy in PTSD (CPTPTSD) study, a prospective, observational study examining how cognitive functioning affects treatment response in CPT for PTSD (NCT# 03641924). The study aims to recruit 105 outpatient veterans with PTSD between the ages of 18 and 70 years. Prior to beginning 12 sessions of CPT, Veteran participants will have standardized assessments of mood and functioning and complete a comprehensive neurocognitive battery assessing episodic learning, attention and speed of processing, language ability, executive control, and emotional functioning. This study aims to fill gaps in the current literature by: (1) examining the specificity of memory effects on treatment response; (2) exploring how baseline cognitive functioning impacts functional outcomes; and (3) examining potential mechanisms, such as memory for treatment content, that might explain the effects of baseline memory functioning on PTSD symptom trajectory.

Discussion

If successful, this research could identify clinically relevant neurocognitive mechanisms that may impact PTSD psychotherapy and guide the development of individualized treatments for PTSD.

Client memory and learning of treatment contents: An experimental study of intervention strategies and relationship to outcome in a brief treatment for procrastination

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Client memory and learning is limited for psychological treatment contents. This study investigated different approaches to support client memory and learning of treatment contents and the relationship between memory and learning of treatment contents and outcome.

METHODS

Adult participants (n = 428) were recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk and randomized to complete one of three versions of a one-session procrastination intervention. Two versions of the intervention included different amounts of memory support strategy types from the Memory Support Intervention. A control version did not include any types of memory support. Memory and learning of treatment contents were assessed immediately after the intervention and one week later. Procrastination and two mechanisms of procrastination (impulsiveness and self-efficacy) were assessed at baseline and one week after the intervention.

RESULTS

Contrary to the hypotheses, a version of the intervention with multiple types of memory support strategies was not associated with better memory and learning of treatment contents than a version of the intervention with only one type of memory support strategy or the control intervention. Greater memory and learning of treatment contents predicted improvement in mechanisms of procrastination, but not procrastination itself.

LIMITATIONS

The mean level of procrastination in this study was lower than in other treatment studies of procrastination.

CONCLUSIONS

Results partially support the rationale for the Memory Support Intervention that improving client memory and learning of treatment contents can improve outcome. Findings suggest that the Memory Support Intervention may be simplified to include fewer strategies without compromising efficacy.

Establishing the dose of memory support to improve patient memory for treatment and treatment outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patient memory for the contents of treatment sessions is poor and this is associated with worse treatment outcome. Preliminary findings indicate that treatment provider use of memory support can be helpful in enhancing patient memory for treatment and improving outcome. The development of a novel Memory Support Intervention is currently underway. A key step in this process is to establish the dose of memory support that treatment providers deliver in treatment-as-usual, as well as the optimal dose of memory support needed to maximize patient memory for treatment points and outcomes.

METHODS

Forty-two adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomized to receive either cognitive therapy plus memory support (CS + Memory Support; n = 22) or cognitive therapy as-usual (CT-as-usual; n = 20). Patients completed a free recall of treatment points task at post-treatment. Outcome measures were administered at baseline and post-treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment providers delivering CT-as-usual used, on average, 8.39 instances of memory support and 3.40 different types of memory support per session. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analyses using the combined sample indicate that 12.45 instances of memory support and 3.88 to 4.13 different types of memory support are needed to maximize patient recall and functional outcome.

LIMITATIONS

Dosing recommendations were established using a limited sample of participants receiving cognitive therapy for MDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment providers appear to deliver a suboptimal amount of memory support. Delivering the optimal dose of memory support could improve treatment outcome.

The effects of retrieval versus rehearsal of online problem-solving therapy sessions on recall, problem-solving skills and distress in distressed individuals: An experimental study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Improving memory for the content of therapy sessions might increase the effects of psychological interventions. Previous studies showed that healthy individuals who took a memory test (retrieval) of studied material showed better long-term memory retention than individuals who restudied (rehearsal) the material. The aim of the current study was to find out whether we can translate these findings to a subclinical setting.

METHODS

Individuals with moderate levels of distress were randomized into retrieving (n = 46) or rehearsing (n = 49) four weekly sessions of online Problem-Solving Therapy (PST). Session recall, problem-solving skills and distress were measured at baseline, three days after each session and at one-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Retrieval led to overall higher recall, but this difference disappeared when controlling for the time spent on retrieval versus rehearsal. Retrieval did not lead to better problem-solving skills or less distress, compared to rehearsal. Baseline working memory performance moderated the effect of condition on recall after controlling for the time spent on retrieval versus rehearsal: the effect of retrieval compared to rehearsal on recall was larger for individuals with lower working memory performance.

LIMITATIONS

The sample mostly consisted of university students with overall high working memory scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided the first evidence that retrieval of the content of PST sessions may lead to better session recall compared to rehearsal of the PST sessions in individuals with a low working memory score. Implications for the use of cognitive support strategies within a therapeutic setting are discussed.

The effect of the Continuous Care Model on treatment adherence in patients with myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Adherence to treatment is one of the behaviours associated with successful outcomes following a myocardial infarction, which leads to successful treatment in the disease.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the Continuous Care Model (CCM) on treatment adherence in patients with myocardial infarction.

Methods

This was a randomised controlled trial performed on 82 patients with myocardial infarction. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants, and then they were allocated into two groups by the stratified random method. In the intervention group, a CCM was implemented. In the intervention group, 4-6 educational sessions (1-2 h) were conducted during one month in the form of spoken questions and answers about the presented subjects. The control group received routine care. A questionnaire of demographic information and treatment adherence was completed by samples in the two groups, intervention and control, before and immediately after training and after follow-up.

Results

The results of this study showed that treatment adherence was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group immediately after training and after the follow-up phase (three months) (p < 0.001). Also, diet, drug and physical activity adherence were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group immediately after training and after follow-up (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Implementation of CCM led to an increase in adherence to the treatment in patients with myocardial infarction. Therefore, it is suggested that this model could be used as a nursing intervention to increase treatment adherence in cardiac-rehabilitation programmes.

Patient constructive learning behavior in cognitive therapy: A pathway for improving patient memory for treatment?

Patient memory for treatment is poor and associated with worse outcome. The Memory Support Intervention was designed to improve outcome by enhancing patient memory for treatment. Half of the strategies comprising the Memory Support Intervention (termed constructive memory support strategies) involve therapists inviting patients to construct new ideas, inferences, or connections related to treatment material that go beyond information already presented by therapists. This study investigated the relationship between patient responses to therapist use of constructive memory support strategies and patient recall of treatment contents. Therapist uses of constructive memory support strategies were coded from sessions recorded during a pilot trial of the Memory Support Intervention in the context of cognitive therapy for depression (n = 44 patients). Patients who successfully constructed new ideas, inferences, or connections (termed patient constructive learning behavior) in response to therapist use of constructive memory support strategies showed greater recall of treatment contents. Mediation analyses provided some evidence that patient constructive learning behavior may be a mechanism through which the Memory Support Intervention results in enhanced patient memory. Results highlight patient constructive learning behavior as a potential pathway for improving patient memory for treatment.

The role of knowledge in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescent depression: Results from a randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Clients' knowledge about their condition and treatment is considered crucial for general health improvement, and knowledge acquisition is an essential part in internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT). Yet, little is known about the role of knowledge and how it influences treatment outcome. This study aimed to examine if explicit knowledge increased following ICBT for adolescent depression, if knowledge gain would be associated with symptom reduction, and if pre-existing knowledge predicted changes in depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Seventy-one adolescents were randomised to a therapist-supported ICBT or a attention control condition. A measure of depression (BDI-II) and a knowledge test dealing with depression, comorbid anxiety, and its CBT-treatment were administered before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in knowledge were observed following ICBT compared to the attention control (between-group Cohen's d = 1.25, 95% CI [0.67-1.79]). On average, participants in the treatment group answered 1.4 more questions correctly at post treatment compared to the control group. No relation between change in knowledge and change in depressive symptoms could be observed. Knowledge scores at baseline were high for both groups, with participants answering approximately 75% of the questions correct. A higher level of initial knowledge level predicted poorer treatment response (Parson's r = -0.38, p = .048).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that knowledge about basic concepts and principles about depression, anxiety, and CBT increases following ICBT. This increase in knowledge was not related to change in depressive symptoms, indicating that knowledge is a different construct. The results also suggest that clients who are more knowledgeable prior to treatment might benefit less from ICBT. In sum, the results highlight the need to further examine the role of knowledge in ICBT.

Patient Memory for Psychological Treatment Contents: Assessment, Intervention, and Future Directions for a Novel Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Change

Patient memory for treatment contents is defined as memory for the ideas, concepts, skills, and/or insights (termed treatment points) that the therapist thinks are important for the patient to remember and implement as a part of therapy. This article reviews key findings on patient memory for treatment contents, describes the development and evaluation of the Memory Support Intervention (MSI), and outlines future directions for research. Patient memory for treatment contents is poor, and worse memory is associated with worse treatment outcome. The MSI is composed of eight memory support strategies that therapists incorporate frequently alongside treatment points delivered during treatment-as-usual. Training therapists to deliver the MSI may yield better treatment outcomes by enhancing patient memory for treatment contents. Future research is needed to understand how to best measure patient memory for treatment contents, and the mediators, moderators, and dissemination potential of the MSI.

Memory creation and modification: Enhancing the treatment of psychological disorders

Modification of the ongoing influence of maladaptive cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns is a fundamental feature of many psychological treatments. Accordingly, a clear understanding of the nature of memory adaptation and accommodation to therapeutic learning becomes an important issue for (1) understanding the impact of clinical interventions, and (2) considering innovations in treatment strategies. In this article, we consider advances in the conceptualization of memory processes and memory modification research relative to clinical treatment. We review basic research on the formation of memories, the way in which new learning is integrated within memory structures, and strategies to influence the nature and degree to which new learning is integrated. We then discuss cognitive/behavioral and pharmacological strategies for influencing memory formation in relation to disorder prevention or treatment. Our goal is to foster awareness of current strategies for enhancing therapeutic learning and to encourage research on potential new avenues for memory enhancement in service of the treatment of mental health disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record

Patient recall of specific cognitive therapy contents predicts adherence and outcome in adults with major depressive disorder

The current study examined whether and which specific contents of patients' memory for cognitive therapy (CT) were associated with treatment adherence and outcome. Data were drawn from a pilot RCT of forty-eight depressed adults, who received either CT plus Memory Support Intervention (CT + Memory Support) or CT-as-usual. Patients' memory for treatment was measured using the Patient Recall Task and responses were coded into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) codes, such as CBT Model and Cognitive Restructuring, and non-CBT codes, such as individual coping strategies and no code. Treatment adherence was measured using therapist and patient ratings during treatment. Depression outcomes included treatment response, remission, and recurrence. Total number of CBT codes recalled was not significantly different comparing CT + Memory Support to CT-as-usual. Total CBT codes recalled were positively associated with adherence, while non-CBT codes recalled were negatively associated with adherence. Treatment responders (vs. non-responders) exhibited a significant increase in their recall of Cognitive Restructuring from session 7 to posttreatment. Greater recall of Cognitive Restructuring was marginally significantly associated with remission. Greater total number of CBT codes recalled (particularly CBT Model) was associated with non-recurrence of depression. Results highlight the important relationships between patients' memory for treatment and treatment adherence and outcome.

Sleep the night before and after a treatment session: A critical ingredient for treatment adherence?

OBJECTIVE

Sleep prepares key neural structures for next-day learning, and sleep obtained after learning promotes subsequent memory consolidation supporting long-term retention. This study examined whether sleep the night before and after a therapy session predicts aspects of treatment adherence.

METHOD

As part of a randomized clinical trial, 188 adults (62.7% female, mean age = 47.5, 80.5% Caucasian) with persistent insomnia received cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. Patients completed a sleep diary before and after treatment sessions. Minutes spent awake during the night (total wake time; TWT) and total sleep time (TST) were used as measures of sleep disturbance. At each treatment session, therapists rated participant understanding of the session and homework compliance from the previous session.

RESULTS

Compared to longer TWT, before session shorter TWT was associated with increased treatment understanding the next day. After session shorter TWT was also associated with increased understanding, but not homework compliance the subsequent session compared to participants with longer TWT. Similar results were obtained for TST.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving sleep may benefit patient adherence to treatment. Sleep may influence processes related to initial learning and subsequent consolidation of treatment information. Future studies should examine whether improved sleep within other psychiatric disorders is also an ingredient to the successful outcome of psychosocial interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record