A phase 1 evaluation of the MEMORehab multi-modal online memory rehabilitation programme

MEMORehab is a telehealth-based evolution of a six-week memory rehabilitation programme, featuring weekly video-conferenced group sessions and asynchronous online activities. Its multi-modal format is intended to improve service access, convenience, flexibility, and engagement. The primary aim of this pilot non-randomized trial was to explore MEMORehab's feasibility, acceptability, and user experience. Our secondary aim was to investigate its preliminary effectiveness for improving memory function. Ten participants with neurological diagnoses impacting memory joined MEMORehab. They and the five clinician facilitators were interviewed at baseline, weeks three and six, and six-week follow-up. Framework analysis helped characterize user experiences. Attrition, session attendance, and engagement with between-session tasks were used to evaluate feasibility. Preliminary efficacy measures included goal attainment scaling, memory performance, subjective memory, and strategy use. Change was assessed using repeated-measures ANOVAs. Participants regarded MEMORehab favourably, and attrition and session attendance supported feasibility. However, between-session engagement varied. We identified several factors enabling and impeding effective multi-modal online memory rehabilitation. Effect sizes suggested moderate-to-large improvements in goal attainment, learning, and delayed recall, and small-to-moderate improvements in subjective memory function and strategy use. This exploratory study offers promising support for multi-modal memory rehabilitation, and insights about challenges and opportunities to inform future intervention and trial designs.