Computer-assisted training of executive functions in adult patients with non-progressive acquired brain damage – a pilot study on efficacy of a new therapeutic application

Abstract

Executive dysfunction is most often caused by post-traumatic or post-stroke damage to the prefrontal regions of the brain. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two computer-assisted therapy programs for executive dysfunctions in patients with acquired brain injury. Patients were trained using either a newly developed application ExeSystem (designed to help improve the ability to manage and control one’s own behavior by performing tasks imitating natural, everyday situations) or a combination of two commercial applications RehaCom and CogniPlus. Data collected after a three-week period of therapy conducted in two 15-person groups of participants indicated comparable efficacy of both therapy programs in improving quality of daily functioning, executive attention, as well as planning and problem-solving but not memory. The improvement in social competence (p = .028) was the only advantage of therapy with the ExeSystem. Therapeutic interactions using computer programs were shown to be positively evaluated by patients (p < .01). This study confirmed at least equal efficacy of computer-based executive function therapy using ExeSystem compared to RehaCom and CogniPlus. However, despite the implementation of a more ecological and comprehensive approach to the content of a new application, the benefits of this approach were limited.

Keywords:

• Rehabilitation
• cognition
• computer applications
• cognitive/learning
• treatment

Disclosure statement

The authors declare the following potential conflicts of interest: (1) The study was supported by a grant from the National Center for Research and Development awarded to Harpo Sp. z o.o. which commissioned the clinical research from the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology; (2) All authors received remuneration from the Institute; (3) None of the authors are employed by Harpo Sp. z o.o. However, all authors received payment from Harpo for the scientific consultation of the ExeSystem content; (4) At the time of writing this Harpo is planning to introduce the ExeSystem application to the market. Thus, currently the authors do not financially benefit from the sale of the product, nor do they have stock in the company; (5) Preparation of this manuscript was completed by the authors independently of Harpo, and Harpo did not have any involvement in review or approval of the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work including development of the ExeSystem application and conducting research on its efficacy in the clinical context was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Program. Project implemented as part of the National Center for Research and Development competition: Measure 1.1 “R&D projects of enterprises,” 1.1.1 “Industrial research and experimental development carried out by enterprises” under grant agreement No. POIR.01.01.01-00-0978/17.