Stimulus Equivalence Learning in Acquired Brain Injury.

NCT07345481 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: KNP23PROJ2
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Stimulus Equivalence Learning (SEL) is a form of learning in which stimuli (such as words, pictures, or sounds) become linked to one another in memory, even though this specific connection has not been directly taught. In a typical SEL task, two relations are taught explicitly (A→B and A→C), and the untrained relation (B→C) is then tested. This indirect relation is not intentionally or consciously learned and is considered a form of implicit learning. The principle of stimulus equivalence learning is still rarely applied in cognitive rehabilitation after acquired brain injury (ABI), with the exception of a few small (N=1) treatment studies that have shown positive effects. However, it remains unclear to what extent ABI may affect the ability to acquire stimulus equivalence.

Conditions

Acquired Brain Injury (Including Stroke)

Keywords

acquired brain injury; implicit memory

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Modified Rutgers Equivalence Learning Task (mRAET)

  The original RAET is an experimental paradigm in which faces have to be paired with colored fish. For the current study, this task has been adapted into a more ecologically valid version focused on medication intake, in which relationships are learned between the shape of a pill, the function of the pill, the time of intake, and the (fictional) brand name.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Location Learning Test (LLT)

  Day 1

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV-NL digit span (WAIS-IV-NL DS)

  Day 1

• Everyday memory questionnaire-revised (EMQ-R)

  Day 1

• Trial Making Test

  Day 1

• Stroop

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

healthy controls

acquired brain injury

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

ABI patients (\>3 months post-injury), including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, encephalitis, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

You may qualify if:

• ABI patients (\>3 months post-injury), including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, encephalitis, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

You may not qualify if:

• Neurodegenerative disorders Severe psychiatric disorders (including suicidality) Insufficient command of the Dutch language Severe cognitive impairments, aphasia, or visual or hearing problems that make test administration impossible

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging: collaborator
• Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten: lead

Study Sites (1)

Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten

Arnhem, Gelderland, 6813 GG, Netherlands

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Brain Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Central Study Contacts

Edo Grevers, MSc.

CONTACT

+31620839323; e.grevers@klimmendaal.nl

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: NETWORK
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 10, 2025
• First Posted: January 15, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

NL (1)