Testing the Efficacy of Self-Generation Treatment Protocol

Past research has shown that items self-generated by an individual, such as words or concepts, are remembered better than items that are simply read or heard. The current study seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of using the principles of the generation effect in a treatment intervention to improve memory and functional performance in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis who have learning and memory difficulties.The main purpose of the study is to conduct an experimental investigation on the effects of a self-generation strategy treatment, embedded within practice of various activities ranging from laboratory tasks (e.g. words and concepts) to functional tasks (e.g. activities of daily living). The treatment to be tested is geared toward helping patients selfdiscover their own strengths and abilities while using self-generation to be able to utilize it independently in everyday life situations. Design: The proposed pilot study is a randomized clinical trial. Participants: Participants will include forty (40) persons with MS, between the ages of 18 and 65, who demonstrate memory impairments. Half of the participants will receive the self-generation training while learning different types of tasks (experimental group) and half of the participants (control group) will be asked to learn the same information but will receive a conventional practice (e.g. repetitions). Expected results: We expect that participants undergoing the self-generation-training intervention will show better memory performance, functional performance, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment and life compared to participants in the control condition.