Effects of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation on working memory in patients with acquired brain injury in the chronic phase, a pilot-study

ABSTRACT

Background

Working memory impairment is common in patients in the chronic phase after acquired brain injury (ABI), and there is a need to develop efficacious rehabilitation methods. This trial explored the effects of two different computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR) programmes on working memory in the chronic phase after ABI, as well as the role of continuous support versus no support from a health professional on the efficacy of CBCR.

Methods

A total of 72 patients were randomized into four different groups for a 12-week intervention: Two groups trained with the CBCR-programmes ‘Cogmed’ and ‘Brain+ Health,’ respectively, and one group completed active-control training. All three groups received continuous support from a health professional. The last group trained with the CBCR programme ‘Brain+ Health’ but received no support. Before and after the intervention, patients were tested with a neuropsychological battery of working memory, attention and executive functions.

Results

Both CBCR-programmes improved working memory when administered with support from a health professional. The programmes improved different sub-components of working memory, possibly because of their individual content and design. None of the CBCR-programmes were more efficacious than sham-training with support. CBCR without support did not improve working memory in patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive rehabilitation
• executive functioning
• traumatic brain injury
• stroke

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge and are indebted to Therese Dolberg Rasmussen, Line Lang Nielsen, Clara Starheim, Ida Frey Baggesen, Cathrine Heidkamp Lissau, Maja Grey, Linda Marschner, Bjarne Pedersen and Susan Svensson for their valuable assistance. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Innovation Fund Denmark.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark. The fund has not been involved with the completion of this trial.