Introduction: Metamemory is described as cognitions about memory.Memory Self-efficacy (MSE) is an important aspect of metamemory and is defined as a feeling of mastery and control about ones memory functioning in general.It has been well established that healthy elderly, that suffer from memory complaints but have no actual memory deficits, benefit from a training program aimed at improving MSE.The central theme of this presentation is the question whether in stroke patients, who often do have memory deficits, metamory and memory self efficacy are equally important in dealing with memory complaints as in healthy elderly.Methods: In cross sectional studies we investigated the role of metamemory in memory complaints in the subacute and chronic stage after stroke.In a RCT the effects of a MSE training in chronic stroke patients was established.Results: The results of the cross sectional studies indicate that in subacute stroke patients similar relations exist between MSE and memory complaints, as in healthy elderly.It is well known that memory complaints may persist in the chronic phase after stroke.Therefore we cross sectionally examined 136 patients in the chronic stage after a stroke.The results show that MSE scores rather than memory capacity predict the existence of memory complaints in chronic stroke patients.In patients with memory complaints MSE score is predicted by depressive symptoms and neuroticism.In patients that do not report memory complaints, MSE score is predicted by actual memory capacity.Whereas both groups score similarly on verbal memory tasks.We performed a randomized clinical trial studying the effects of MSE training to a peer support control group matched for intensity in the chronic stage after stroke.MSE scores increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group immediately after the intervention.The effect on MSE score sustained after 6 and 12 months in the experimental group.Psychological quality of life improved in the experimental group, without reaching significance.Post hoc stratification showed that in patients aged 65 years and younger both psychological quality of life increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group over time.Conclusion: The newly developed MSE training appears to be effective especially in the younger group of patients who are in the chronic stage after a stroke.Further tailoring of the program to meet the needs of elderly patients and implementation of MSE training at an earlier stage after stroke are future challenges.