Computers in Neurorehabilitation: What Role do they Play? Part 1

Abstract

This article is in two parts. The first part introduces the concept of a structured approach in the assessment of patients in neurorehabilitation. The overall role of computers is broken down into seven potential areas where they may be of benefit: communication, motor skills, cognitive functions, social skills, mood, work and leisure. There are many different treatment approaches that are used with computers in neurorehabilitation, ranging from remediation of lost skills to adaptation of function. The second part uses a case study to demonstrate the methods of assessment and the practical techniques that are used to overcome everyday issues.The overall conclusion is that computers can become an integral part of neurorehabilitation and it is essential for occupational therapists to gain a greater insight into their use in order to enhance their patients' independence and quality of life.

Direct Interventions for Improving the Performance of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease

“…74 Several investigators have documented the efficacy of computer-based interventions in treating language and memory deficits in aphasic individuals 75,76 and individuals with traumatic brain injury. 77,78 Similarly, computers have been successfully used to teach amnesic patients word processing and data-entry skills for vocational purposes. 79 In another example, Brooks and colleagues 80 successfully trained a densely amnesic patient in finding the route within a hospital rehabilitation unit.…”

Effect of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR) for people with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Despite the explosive increase in use of CBCR since 1980 s and advantages, studies of the efficiency of CBCR among patients with stroke disagree with each other and comprehensive and objective results are lacking [42]. In addition, previous CR studies were not able to find a significant different effect of acute and chronic phase of stroke on the result of CR treatments.…”

“…Among them, computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR) has been proven to be effective since the early 1980 s in treating the cognitive impairments of elderly and other patients with brain injury, dementia or schizophrenia [17,29,30,42]. Conducting CBCR, patients use a computer as an intervention tool to provide feedback to patient responses and reaction speed via input devices like a keyboard or joystick and monitor the results of tasks through output device like computer screen [18,46].…”

Steps to independence – supporting every day decision making with computers

“…Computers have been used within OT predominately as a session-based therapeutic tool (Gillen and Watkins, 2011;Verdonck and Ryan, 2008;Stern et al, 1999Stern et al, , 2000, as part of telecare systems within assistive technology (Evans et al, 2011;Verdonck et al, 2011) or to support the administration needs of OT services/departments (Austin and Lycett, 2010). In their review, Chantry and Dunforld (2010) identified the use of virtual reality to encourage children to learn skills including road crossing.…”