Feasibility study of theBrightBrainer™ integrative cognitive rehabilitation system for elderly with dementia

Abstract

Purpose To describe the development of BrightBrainer™ integrative cognitive rehabilitation system and determine clinical feasibility with nursing home-bound dementia patients. Method BrightBrainer cognitive rehabilitation simulations were first played uni-manually, then bimanually. Participants sat in front of a laptop and interacted through a game controller that measured hand movements in 3D, as well as flexion of both index fingers. Interactive serious games were designed to improve basic and complex attention (concentration, short-term memory, dual tasking), memory recall, executive functioning and emotional well-being. Individual simulations adapted automatically to each participant's level of motor functioning. The system underwent feasibility trials spanning 16 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants were evaluated pre- and post-intervention, using standardized neuropsychological measures. Computerized measures of movement repetitions and task performance were stored on a remote server. Results Group analysis for 10 participants showed statistically significant improvement in decision making (p<0.01), with trend improvements in depression (p<0.056). Improvements were also seen in processing speed (p<0.13) and auditory attention (p<0.17); however, these were not statistically significant (partly attributable to the modest sample size). Eight of nine neuropsychological tests showed changes in the improvement direction indicating an effective rehabilitation (p<0.01). BrightBrainer technology was well tolerated with mean satisfaction ratings of 4.9/5.0 across participants. Conclusions Preliminary findings demonstrate utility within an advanced dementia population, suggesting that it will be beneficial to evaluate BrightBrainer through controlled clinical trials and to investigate its application in other clinical populations.

Recommendations for the Use of ICT in Elderly Populations with Affective Disorders

“…VR-based serious games could also provide benefits in reducing depression levels among elderly individuals (Burdea et al, 2015). The overall literature on ICT for elderly population remains however currently scarce.…”

Innovation to enhance health in care homes and evaluation of tools for measuring outcomes of care: rapid evidence synthesis

“…The USA was the setting for around two-fifths of the work (114 studies). 26,[30][31][32]36,42,[46][47][48][49]64,[67][68][69][70]74,75,77,82,[87][88][89]91,[93][94][95]97,98,[103][104][105][106][107][108][110][111][112]117,120,121,128,129,133,134,[136][137][138]140,141,143,[151][152][153]…”

A Rehabilitation First—Tournament Between Teams of Nursing Home Residents with Chronic Stroke

“…The protocol composed up to nine different games, 30 The tournament protocol was similarly balanced so 67 percent of the exercise time was composed of the games ''Breakout 3D,'' ''Card Island,'' and ''Pick & Place.'' The tournament session included multiplayer versions of these games, with one avatar guided by the subject at HEE and the other avatar by the remote teammate at RCC.…”

“…3d), originally developed for the BrightBrainerÔ system (Bright Cloud International Corp.). 30 ''Musical Drums'' is a game where participants strike a series of notes that drift across one of four drums. Each teammate controlled one drumstick, with a barrier in the middle to insure each note can be reached by only one participant.…”