Cognitive rehabilitation software
The basic intention of the cognitive rehabilitation programme is to provide an appropriate level of both stimulation and intellectual challenge in a highly motivating form for patients suffering from brain injury. The rehabilitation suite consists of computer programs that are used to improve memory, concentration and logic There are several important features common to all programs. The programs are enjoyable to use, robust, and easy to operate. All of the performance measures are available for monitoring, additionally all of the more recent programs are automatically adaptable to the patient's current performance over a wide range of abilities.
Since 1985 we have spent an enormous amount of time and effort developing a microcomputer-based program for the cognitive rehabilitation of patients suffering from a brain injury. The basic intention of the cognitive rehabilitation programme is to provide the patient with material that will provide an appropriate level of both stimulation and intellectual challenge in a highly motivating form. The system as developed allows the patient to work on a controlled rehabilitation programme in the comfort and security of the home with the aid of personal computers.
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This suite of programs has been developed by Dr. Hutch Curry as part of his pioneering work on cognitive rehabilitation of the brain injured. The rehabilitation suite consists of computer programs, that patients suffering from brain injury, use to improve their memory, concentration and logic. These programs are aimed at one or more of the cognitive processes that are often disrupted by brain damage. There are several important features common to all programs. The programs are enjoyable to use, robust, and easy to operate. All of the performance measures are available for monitoring, additionally all of the more recent programs are automatically adaptable to the patient's current performance over a wide range of abilities. |
Cognitive (thinking, memory, reasoning, judgment, etc.) and behavioural problems following head/brain injury are usually more disabling than medical or physical problems. Lack of cognitive stimulation has been demonstrated to result in decreased cognitive abilities over time. Daily practice on computer programs can provide sufficient stimulation to maintain hard-won cognitive gains, fill leisure time, provide respite for caregivers, and allow interaction with family members and peers. Even basic level games can provide hours of enjoyment for survivors while providing respite for caregivers. |
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These programs in the Cognitive Rehabilitation Suite were developed over a 20-year period in a clinical setting providing outpatient services to clients diagnosed with acquired neurological disorders (e.g. traumatic brain injury, stroke, aneurysm, toxic encephalopathy, etc.). The programs have been used in a variety of settings including rehabilitation centres, community colleges, nursing homes, and public schools as well as by individuals at home in the United Kingdom and other countries. The programs are also used by psychologists, occupational therapists and speech/language therapists in private practices. |
Although the software was written for head/brain injury survivors, it has been used successfully in other centres with stroke patients, geriatrics, children with and without learning disability and Alzheimer's sufferers.
