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Memory and Attention Adaptation Training

Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) focuses on learning strategies to compensate for subtle memory problems caused by chemotherapy, rather than focusing on cognitive restoration. MAAT assumes that under low demand situations, cognitive dysfunction may not be problematic, but under high demand, failures can hinder performance. Specific techniques are drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and rehabilitation literature and include education, self-monitoring, compensatory cognitive skills training, and relaxation training. MAAT consists of four 50-minute individual visits every 2-3 weeks, with three phone contacts for support and homework review, for a total of seven contacts over the course of treatment.

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Marcela Pretto
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85 views2 pages

Memory and Attention Adaptation Training

Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) focuses on learning strategies to compensate for subtle memory problems caused by chemotherapy, rather than focusing on cognitive restoration. MAAT assumes that under low demand situations, cognitive dysfunction may not be problematic, but under high demand, failures can hinder performance. Specific techniques are drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and rehabilitation literature and include education, self-monitoring, compensatory cognitive skills training, and relaxation training. MAAT consists of four 50-minute individual visits every 2-3 weeks, with three phone contacts for support and homework review, for a total of seven contacts over the course of treatment.

Uploaded by

Marcela Pretto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT


Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) places an emphasis on learning strategies
to compensate for subtle memory problems in daily life. This is a slight departure from a
more traditional cognitive rehabilitation approach. Emphasis is placed on maximizing function
and adaptation in the natural environment and not necessarily on cognitive restoration as
measured by neuropsychological test performance.15 In effect, MAAT presumes that the
problem of chemotherapy-related memory dysfunction can be conceptualized from a
"diathesis-stress" framework. That is, under times of low demand, such routine times at the
workplace or household, cognitive dysfunction may not be a hindrance or cause undue
interference. If problems of memory or attention arise, they are readily handled. By contrast,
under times of high performance demand such as sales presentations, dispensing

Table 1. Outline of Memory and Attention


Adaptation Training. Visit Content
Treatment overview & provision of

1 workbook

Education on memory and attention and



effects of chemotherapy

Self-monitoring instruction

Relaxation training

Homework

Phone Contact 1 Review Homework, problem solve

2 Homework review

Compensatory strategy(ies) selection,



instruction, and rehearsal

Homework

Phone Contact 2 Review Homework, problem solve

3 Homework review

Compensatory strategy selection,



instruction, and rehearsal
Activity pacing and scheduling

Homework

Overview

Phone Contact S Review Homework, problem solve

4 Homework review

Compensatory strategy review

Activity pacing and scheduling review

Plan for relapse prevention

Wrap-up

dangerous medications, or socializing where simultaneous conversations occur, cognitive


failures may become a greater hindrance to functional performance.

Specific techniques used in MAAT are drawn from the cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and
rehabilitation literature related to an array of problem areas. These include: mild traumatic
brain injury cerebral damage due to stroke or brain trauma and reading
comprehension/attention.15,46-49 Memory and Attention Adaptation Training is organized
into four components: (1) education (on chemotherapy-related cognitive problems and other
influences on attention and memory such as stress); (2) self-awareness training (self-
monitoring to identify "at risk" situations or conditions associated with cognitive failure); (3)
compensatory cognitive skills training; and (4) applied relaxation training for arousal
reduction. Similar components have been demonstrated to aid patients with chronic
symptoms associated with mild traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cancers of the central
nervous

The MAAT format could be characterized as falling on a spectrum of "guided self-help" in that
the patient uses a workbook in conjunction with visits to the treating clinician. Memory and
Attention Adaptation Training consists of four individual visits, once every 23 weeks, with
three phone contacts (One between each visit) for support and review of procedures. This is
a total of seven contacts. Visits are typically 50 minutes each. Participants also complete
homework assignments or "applied exercises" between visits and thus telephone contacts
serve as a venue to problem solving or address questions (see Table 1).

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