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The effect of errorless learning on quality of life in patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome
Authors Rensen YCM, Egger JIM, Westhoff J, Walvoort SJW, Kessels RPC
Received 2 May 2017
Accepted for publication 24 August 2017
Published 27 November 2017 Volume 2017:13 Pages 2867—2873
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S140950
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewers approved by Prof. Dr. Roumen Kirov
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Dr Roger Pinder
Yvonne CM Rensen,1 Jos IM Egger,2,3 Josette Westhoff,1 Serge JW Walvoort,1 Roy PC Kessels1,3,4
1Center of Excellence for Korsakoff and Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands; 2Center of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands; 3Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 4Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Background: Errorless learning (EL) is a promising rehabilitation principle for (re)learning instrumental activities in patients with amnesia, including patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS). Successfully (re)learning tasks might improve the sense of competence and independence, and subsequently the quality of life. Quality of life in patients with KS has received limited attention, and no studies have been conducted to experimentally examine the effect of EL on quality of life in patients in this patient group.
Materials and methods: The QUALIDEM, an observation scale for quality of life, was completed by professional nurses before and after EL training in a group of fifty-one patients with KS. This scale was also completed for a group of thirty-one control patients receiving care as usual but no EL training.
Results: Quality of life was significantly increased on eight of the nine subscales in the Korsakoff group who participated in an EL training. There was a trend toward a significant increase in “positive affect” (ie, the ninth subscale). In contrast, no changes over time were found on any of the subscales in the control group that did not participate in any EL training.
Conclusion: Despite severe memory impairments, patients with KS still have the potential to (partially) (re)learn tasks using EL. This potential should be exploited, as the successes of (re)-learning might improve the quality of life of Korsakoff patients in nursing homes.
Keywords: Korsakoff’s syndrome, errorless learning, quality of life, memory
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