The Contextual Memory Test (CMT): A Memory Screen Following TBI

  • by glarehab
  • Jan 23, 2015
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The Contextual Memory Test (CMT): A Memory Screen Following TBI

Following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), individuals are most often first to notice and mention difficulties with their memory. They realize that they are forgetting simple everyday things such as people’s names, conversations or appointments.

Memory impairments can have a devastating effect on everyday life. Events and activities become forgotten and disconnected.

Occupational therapists (OT) work with these clients with memory difficulties to learn both remedial and compensatory strategies to overcome the impairments. However, to understand the areas of memory difficulty for the client, the OT initially needs to conduct memory testing. To discover and evaluate the client’s areas of difficulty with memory during initial consultations following a TBI, allows us to better plan and decide on an appropriate route of treatment.

One of the initial memory screens we use in our assessments is the Contextual Memory Test (CMT). Joan Toglia created the CMT in 1993. It is standardized and validated for adult 18 years or older.

It is used to objectively measure awareness of memory capacity, strategy use and recall in adults with memory dysfunction. It assess 3 areas of memory including: awareness of memory capacity, recall of line-drawn items, and strategy use.

The CMT uses pictures of related objects as the items to be remembered. There are 2 versions of the test that are related to a “theme”. They include a Restaurant version which contains items typically related to a restaurant scene and a Morning version which contains items related to what a person does when getting up in the morning.

It has the following strengths:

  • Easy to administer
  • Requires only 5-10 minutes to administer
  • Uses familiar objects as the items to be remembered
  • Provides objective measures of awareness and strategy use
  • Suggests areas for additional testing.

Following the results of the CMT, the OT is able to make recommendations and it provides a support basis to complete further more in depth memory testing as well as treatment.

To learn more about the CMT or other assessments used at GLA, please contact us. We would be happy to provide you with more information.

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Success Story: The Journey of Yoga to Relaxation and Happiness

  • by glarehab
  • Jan 23, 2015
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  • 0 comment
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Success Story: The Journey of Yoga to Relaxation and Happiness

Following a traumatic event, such as a car accident, an individual might be experiencing emotional disturbances along with physical and/or cognitive difficulties.

Many might experience depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, anger and frustration. They might be thinking, “Why did this happen to me?” and might be fearful of getting back into a car and driving again. They worry about their future and their ability to participate in everyday life.

The road to acceptance and coping often takes a multi-disciplinary approach in rehabilitation. At GLA, the full rehab team of the OT/case manager, social worker and/or psychologist, PT and rehab support worker work together to accomplish this goal.

This month’s success story comes from a client who was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following a car accident and had difficulty integrating back into society. With the assistance of his rehab team, they were able to explore meaningful activities and found a passion and love for YOGA.

When the rehab team first suggested trialing yoga with the RSW, the client was hesitant as he had never tried it before and was not sure that he can “buy” into this idea. However, he agreed to try it and to participate. Following his first session of beginner yoga with the RSW, the rest was history.

The client registered for a community Yoga class with the RSW.

Along with the physical benefits of yoga including increased flexibility, toning of muscles, balance, posture and core strengthening, yoga also has many psychological benefits.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Stress reduction
  • Inner peace and calm
  • Improved self-confidence
  • Increased emotional stability
  • Less anxiety and depression
  • Increased body awareness and acceptance
  • Decline in self-destructive patterns

Yoga postures are a form of meditation, which help “calm the mind” and present a state of relaxation. As the body relaxes, the breath naturally becomes balanced. And when the breath becomes balanced, the mind relaxes.

A 2001 study in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology showed that participants who practiced yoga consistently for 10 months were less anxious and depressed both during and after their months of yoga practice.

In addition, studies by Dr. Davidson at the University of Wisconsin have shown that the prefrontal cortex shows heightened activity, a finding that has been correlated with increased levels of happiness.

The client initially participated in the yoga classes with his RSW once per week. As he began to develop a better understanding of the practice and benefits, he started to initiate yoga classes on his own. Not only was he going to the classes on his own, he was making friends and becoming more social. He reports sleeping better, eating better and felt generally happier.

It is currently 2 years post-accident and he is attending yoga class 2-3 times per week. When he cannot get to his yoga class, he is able to practice his poses at home. He is exploring a return to work plan with his OT and plans on attending a yoga retreat shortly.

Yoga has been around for over 5000 years! And it has grown in popularity in the past several years. Make sure you try yoga this New Year or offer it to your clients, and experience the many benefits it has to offer!

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