Feasibility of online self-administered cognitive training in moderate–severe brain injury. Issue 14 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Bhanu; Tomaszczyk, Jennifer C.; Dawson, Deirdre; Turner, Gary R.; Colella, Brenda; Green, Robin E. A.
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 39:Issue 14(2017)
• Page Start: 1380
• Page End: 1390
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Brain games -- cognitive rehabilitation -- cognitive training -- environmental enrichment -- feasibility -- neurodegeneration -- TBI -- traumatic brain injury; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1195453
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Cognitive environmental enrichment (C-EE) offers promise for offsetting neural decline that is observed in chronic moderate–severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain games are a delivery modality for C-EE that can be self-administered over the Internet without therapist oversight. To date, only one study has examined the feasibility of self-administered brain games in TBI, and the study focused predominantly on mild TBI. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to examine the feasibility of self-administered brain games in moderate–severe TBI. A secondary and related purpose was to examine the feasibility of remote monitoring of any C-EE-induced adverse symptoms with a self-administered evaluation tool. Method: Ten patients with moderate–severe TBI were asked to complete 12 weeks (60 min/day, five days/week) of online brain games with bi-weekly self-evaluation, intended to measure any adverse consequences of cognitive training (e.g., fatigue, eye strain). Results: There was modest weekly adherence (42.6% ± 4.4%, averaged across patients and weeks) and 70% patient retention; of the seven retained patients, six completed the self-evaluation questionnaire at least once/week for each week of the study. Conclusions: Even patients with moderate–severe TBI can complete a demanding, online C-EE intervention and a self-administered symptom evaluation tool with limited therapist oversight, though at daily rate closer to 30 than 60 min per day. Further self-administered C-EE research is underway in our lab, with more extensive environmental support. Implications for Rehabilitation: Online brain games (which may serve as a rehabilitation paradigm that can help offset the neurodegeneration observed in chronic TBI) can be feasibly self-administered by moderate-to-severe TBI patients. Brain games are a promising therapy modality, as they can be accessed by all moderate-to-severe TBI patients irrespective of geographic location, clinic and/or therapist availability, or impairments that limit mobility and access to rehabilitation services. Future efficacy trials that examine the effect of brain games for offsetting neurodegeneration in moderate-to-severe TBI patients are warranted.