Investigating the Effectiveness of Working Memory Training in Reducing Cognitive Failures in Individuals with Stroke

Background and Objectives: Stroke is a brain injury caused by damage to the blood vessels in the central nervous system, often resulting in cognitive impairments, including memory issues. With the increasing number of stroke survivors, the demand for effective rehabilitation services is also increasing. This study evaluates the effectiveness of working memory training in mitigating cognitive failure and memory difficulties in stroke patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved ۳۶ stroke patients from medical centers in Urmia City, Iran, and was conducted in October ۲۰۲۳. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups as follows: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received a total of ten ۶۰-min training sessions twice a week, while the control group participated in the same number of sessions, focusing on physical exercise without any specific intervention. Data collection tools included the cognitive failures questionnaire, which evaluates the frequency of cognitive lapses in daily activities, such as attention, memory, and action failures, and the Wechsler memory scale, which assesses different aspects of memory performance. Both groups underwent pretests and posttests, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version ۲۶, with a significance level of P ≤ ۰.۰۵. Results: Before the intervention, no significant differences in memory span or cognitive failure were observed. However, post-intervention results indicated a significant improvement in the experimental group (P ≤ ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Working memory rehabilitation significantly enhanced cognitive functioning and memory in stroke patients.

Keywords:

Stroke۱ , Everyday cognitive failures۲ , Memory problems۳ , Working memory۴ , Rehabilitation۵