記憶障害者を対象としたグループ訓練の試み

Clinical usefulness of group memory training for amnesic patients

要旨：記憶障害者を対象として，障害認識を高め外的補助手段の使用を促すこと，記憶障害とその対処方法に関する教育，記憶障害者同士の交流を目的としたグループ訓練を行った．訓練ではテーマを設定して，レクチャーと参加者間の話し合いを行った．グループ訓練の有用性を5名の対象者について検討した．障害認識は3名に，外的補助手段の内容は2名に変化があった．グループ訓練は外的補助手段の使用開始の動機づけとなり，使用の実践の場となっていた．参加者へのアンケート結果からは，同じ障害をもつ者同士の交流という意義が得られた反面，レクチャーが難しかったとの回答もあった．グループ訓練は，教育的側面では改善の余地が多かった．

　We conducted group memory training for amnesic patients as part of clinical intervention. The purpose of the group training included ameliorating patients' awareness for deficits, facilitating the use of external memory aids, extending patients' knowledge about memory problems, and helping individuals to develop skills in coping with memory difficulties, setting up a discussion among amnesic patients.

　Each training session had a specific theme and consisted of lecture and discussion periods on each theme. We analyzed the results of five patients and assessed the clinical usefulness of the group memory training. Three patients showed ameliorations about awareness for deficits. Two patients showed changes in using external aids. Each patient expressed support with regard to being included in a group and sharing common problems with other members. However, lectures on each memoryrelated theme appeared to be difficult to understand. In conclusion, the group training offered a good opportunity for using external memory aids. The training session also functioned well with regard to peer counseling. However, it remained insufficient with regard to widening patients' knowledge about memory problems.