Factors influencing the uptake of memory compensations following acquired brain injury

The use of memory strategies can promote independence in people who have an acquired brain injury but people often do not take readily to using such strategies. Certain demographic variables have been associated with the use of memory strategies these variables cannot be changed through therapeutic interventions. The aim of this thesis is to explore variables that may be modifiable through rehabilitation e.g. health beliefs and perceptions of aids, to see whether they help us understand factors influencing the uptake of memory strategies. The thesis consists of three studies. The first uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore how people feel about using memory strategies. The second is a cross sectional questionnaire design exploring the predictive power of variables identified in the first study to predict the use of strategies together with demographic variables. The third is a single case study utilising findings from the first two studies to help an individual use a mobile phone and Google calendar as a memory aid. A key factor in the use of memory compensations is the need to ‘fit’ the aid to an individual’s lifestyle. Consequently, there is greater optimism for those who may otherwise be regarded as unlikely to use aids