Due to the growing number of older adults with cognitive impairment, it is essential to delay the onset and progression of cognitive decline and promote a healthy lifestyle. The rapid growth of ...technology has considerably advanced the field of computerized cognitive interventions. Consequently, traditional cognitive interventions are being adapted and new multimedia systems are being developed to encourage health and independent living in old age. The primary objective of this review was to identify cognitive stimulation, training and rehabilitation programs aimed at older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, and CORDIS databases were searched from January 2008 to August 2018. Two researchers reviewed the potential studies individually for eligibility. Studies of computerized cognitive interventions for people with dementia and cognitive impairment were included if they clearly described objectives, users and functioning. A systematic review of the studies was carried out, providing a qualitative synthesis of the features and study characteristics of each software. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and 11 different cognitive stimulation, training, and rehabilitation programs were identified. The studies found on cognitive intervention software indicate the existence of various technological programs for people with MCI and dementia. On the overall, the programs were aimed at people with different clinical conditions, able to create specific treatments and personalized training, optimized for portable devices, and user-friendly. However, the selected programs differ from each other in terms of objectives, usage mode and characteristics, even if they were used for the same purposes. Therefore, the information obtained in the review may be relevant to distinguish between programs and select the one that best suits each user. Thus, more information about the features and context of use is needed as well as more clinical studies to be able to compare among computerized cognitive programs.
Objectives: Alzheimer is the most prevalent cognitive disturbance with a high spread rate among the elderly. The current research aims to investigate the impact of cognitive rehabilitation on the ...memory improvement of Alzheimer disease patients. Methods: This was a semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test designs. The statistical population in Baghdad City, Iraq, in 2021 included 60 patients with Alzheimer and was divided into an experimental (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The patient’s cognitive abilities were assessed before the intervention (pre-test), promptly after the intervention (post-test), and 2 months later (follow-up). The experimental group had twenty-eight 45-min sessions of training based on the Montessori method (2 sessions per week). The data were analyzed via the SPSS software, version 19, using the independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance. The results had a P<0.05. Results: The findings of the independent t-test demonstrated no significant difference between the scores of both groups during the pre-test stage (P>0.05); however, the difference was significant during the post-test and follow-up stages (P<0.001). In addition, the findings of the repeated measure analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between both groups’ mean scores in the post-test and follow-up (P<0.001). Discussion: Cognitive rehabilitation can help patients with memory disorders and positively affect their memory performance.
Background. Given the fact that there is contradictory evidence regarding the effectiveness of computerized cognitive rehabilitation interventions, the present study intended to compare the potential ...effects of non-computer and computer-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions on the memory of stroke patients in Tabriz. Methods. To this end, we conducted a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The population of the study included individuals who were admitted to a hospital in Tabriz, Iran, for the treatment of stroke. After identifying patients who met the inclusion criteria on the base of purposive sampling, 45 stroke patients were randomly selected and assigned to two experimental groups (15 in the computer-based group and 15 in the non-computer group) and one control group (15 in the waiting list). To measure the dependent variables of the research, Wechsler’s Digit Span subscale and Folstein’s MMSE were used. The cognitive rehabilitation therapy was performed three times a week for 7 weeks for the non-computer experimental group. The computer-based rehabilitation intervention using Captain’s Log software was delivered during the same period. Results. The results show that both computer-based and non-computer cognitive rehabilitation interventions are equally effective in improving working memory (visual and auditory) of stroke patients. Conclusion. It can be concluded that the unsubstantiated orientation towards the quality and quantity of using new computer-based interventions is not desirable and that the potential of both computer and non-computer interventions should be used to improve the memory of stroke patients. Practical Implications. Based on the findings, specialists can use the potential of both non-computer and computer-based cognitive rehabilitation interventions in improving auditory/visual working memory function of patients with stroke.
Background: There are important cognitive issues in patients with epilepsy, which can be referred to as impairment in executive functions such as attention. Objectives: This research aims to compare ...the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation programs and task-oriented cognitive rehabilitation programs on attention in children with epilepsy in Tehran. Methods: The present research was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all children with epilepsy who were referred to the neurology clinic of Mofid Children's Hospital in 2021. Using the purposeful sampling method, 45 eligible children were included in the study and were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group (15 people in each group). The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA2) of Sohlberg and Mateer (2001) was used for data collection. The experimental groups underwent the intervention of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test (1980) (12 sessions of 45 minutes) and the task-oriented cognitive rehabilitation program (12 sessions of 45 minutes). The control group did not receive any intervention. SPSS 20 software was used for data analysis. Univariate covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was performed using a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results demonstrated that both computer-based cognitive rehabilitation programs and task-based cognitive rehabilitation were effective in increasing the attention of epileptic children in Tehran (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation programs and task-based cognitive rehabilitation in increasing the attention of epileptic children (P = 0.67). Conclusions: It can be concluded that computer-based and task-oriented cognitive rehabilitation programs can be used to increase attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy.
Virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool to promote motor (re)learning in healthy users and brain-injured patients. However, in current VR-based motor training, movements of the users performed in a ...three-dimensional space are usually visualized on computer screens, televisions, or projection systems, which lack depth cues (2D screen), and thus, display information using only monocular depth cues. The reduced depth cues and the visuospatial transformation from the movements performed in a three-dimensional space to their two-dimensional indirect visualization on the 2D screen may add cognitive load, reducing VR usability, especially in users suffering from cognitive impairments. These 2D screens might further reduce the learning outcomes if they limit users’ motivation and embodiment, factors previously associated with better motor performance. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of more immersive technologies using head-mounted displays (HMDs). As a first step towards potential clinical implementation, we ran an experiment with 20 healthy participants who simultaneously performed a 3D motor reaching and a cognitive counting task using: (1) (immersive) VR (IVR) HMD, (2) augmented reality (AR) HMD, and (3) computer screen (2D screen). In a previous analysis, we reported improved movement quality when movements were visualized with IVR than with a 2D screen. Here, we present results from the analysis of questionnaires to evaluate whether the visualization technology impacted users’ cognitive load, motivation, technology usability, and embodiment. Reports on cognitive load did not differ across visualization technologies. However, IVR was more motivating and usable than AR and the 2D screen. Both IVR and AR rea ched higher embodiment level than the 2D screen. Our results support our previous finding that IVR HMDs seem to be more suitable than the common 2D screens employed in VR-based therapy when training 3D movements. For AR, it is still unknown whether the absence of benefit over the 2D screen is due to the visualization technology per se or to technical limitations specific to the device.
•MS presents a broad range of symptoms, including sensory-motor, cognitive and behavioral ones.•Neurorehabilitation programs are aimed at reducing the disabilities due to MS.•VR is a motivational and ...effective tool that could improve the traditional motor and cognitive rehabilitation trainings.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating neurodegenerative disease with lesions involving the central nervous system. Clinical symptoms consist of disturbances in motor activity (e.g., weakness, spasticity, and tremor), sensory functioning (e.g., pain), visual functions (e.g., diplopia and optic neuritis), besides different cognitive (attention deficit and executive dysfunction) and behavioral abnormalities. This review aims to evaluate the role of VR tools in cognitive and motor rehabilitation of MS patients. Studies performed between 2010 and 2017 and fulfilling the selected criteria were searched on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Sciences databases, by combining the terms “VR rehabilitation” and “MS”. Our findings showed that, following the use of VR training, MS patients presented a significant improvement in motor (especially gait and balance) and cognitive function (with regard to executive and visual-spatial abilities, attention and memory skills). This review supports the idea that rehabilitation through new VR tools could positively affect MS patients’ outcomes, by boosting motivation and participation with a better response to treatment.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cognitive impairments following TBI are the most disabling and prevalent after-effects. These impairments ...have substantial and lasting implications on an individual's daily functioning and quality of life. In the acute and chronic phases after TBI, they can affect various cognitive domains, including attention, executive functions, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor function, and social cognition. The significance of these cognitive deficits is underscored by their association with difficulties in vocational reintegration, social interactions, and overall independence. Furthermore, the long-term consequences of TBI-related cognitive deficits extend to increased risk for mood disorders. Addressing these challenges necessitates practical assessment and management. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessments play a pivotal role in diagnosing and characterizing cognitive deficits. In addition to medication, cognitive rehabilitation therapy suggests using rehabilitation methods such as cognitive training, compensatory strategies, and assistive technologies. By recognizing the substantial impact of cognitive impairments post-TBI and implementing evidence-based techniques, clinicians and caregivers can optimize recovery and enhance the quality of life for those affected. This article aims to provide an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, rehabilitation approaches, and challenges of cognitive impairment in patients with TBI.
Background: Attention and response inhibition is one of the problems of dysgraphia students whose treatment has not been paid much attention, so it requires new psychological interventions including ...cognitive rehabilitation. Aims: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on the attention and response inhibition of dysgraphia students. Methods: The current research was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a follow-up period with a control group. The research population included all second and third grade female students with dysgraphia in the 15th district of Tehran in the academic year of 2021-2022, who were referred to Sharq Counseling Center from regular schools. 14 people were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling; and they were randomly placed in two experimental and control groups and answered Yaqoubi et al.'s dysgraphia diagnostic questionnaires (2021), Mandy Brackencamp's selective attention, concentration and effort test (2002) and Bruno-Nero Hoffman test (1984). Then the experimental group received the Aram Nejati attention and memory rehabilitation training program (2017) for 10 sessions of 60 minutes, but only school training was provided to the control group. After the training sessions, the post-test was conducted. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that cognitive rehabilitation training was effective in improving attention and response inhibition of dysgraphia students compared to the control group. These results continued in the follow-up period(p< 0/01). Conclusion: Based on the results, counselors and experts can use cognitive rehabilitation training to improve attention and inhibit response of dysgraphia students.
The objective of this study is to evaluate a change of cerebral perfusion of patients with chronic neuropsychological impairments (NPIs) before and after a daytreatment group rehabilitation, using ...99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography (Tc-ECD SPECT) and its novel analytic software.
Eight patients were examined in the chronic period of acquired brain injury with NPIs. All patients received a daytreatment group rehabilitation (3hours once per week for half a year). The group rehabilitation included patient and family education, mindfulness exercise and group discussion exercise. The examinations of patients were performed before and after the group rehabilitation, and it included the assessment of neurological deficit, cognitive functions, and Tc-ECD SPECT. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was applied to each Tc-ECD SPECT image, for spatial pre-processing and analysis and to determine the quantitative perfusion change before and after the group intervention (paired t-test, uncorrected, P<0.001).
SPM analysis of Tc-ECD SPECT showed the significant improvement of cerebral perfusion in right frontal lobe (Brodmann area 10) before and after the group rehabilitation. There was no significant improvement in cognitive functions as assessed with structured batteries for NPIs, while there was a trend towards the improvement behaviorally (for example, 6 patients had been able to rework after the intervention).
Using Tc-ECD SPECT and its novel analytic software, we identified specific lesions with improvement of cerebral perfusion before and after the daytreatment group rehabilitation for NPIs. It might relate with social reintegration of patient with NPIs.
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