Primary objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate an instructional package that facilitates learning and retention of multi-step procedures for persons with severe memory and executive function impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury.
Research design: The study used a multiple baseline across participants design.
Methods and procedures: Four participants, two males and two females, ranging in age from 36-58 years, were taught a 7-step e-mail task. The instructional package (TEACH-M) was the experimental intervention and the number of correct e-mail steps learned was the dependent variable.
Main outcomes and results: Treatment effects were replicated across the four participants and maintained at 30 days post-treatment. Generalization and social validity data further supported the treatment programme.
Conclusions: The results suggest that individuals with severe cognitive impairments are capable of learning new skills. Directions for future research include application of the instructional package to other multi-step procedures.