Technology in Rehabilitation: A Computer Based Cognitive Retraining Programme for Patients with Head Injury

The study was conducted to determine the efficiency of a computerized cognitive retraining program-“Brain Function Therapy” (BFT) in the restoration of impaired cognitive functions in head injury patients. BFT works on personal computer and it has several retraining modules in the areas of attention and working memory using visually presented verbal and nonverbal cognitive tasks. The difficulty levels of each task can be stepwise increased to suit the needs of a patient. The sample consisted of 9 head injury patients, who were selected three months after the head injury. They were assessed before and after the retraining program using the NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery of tests for detection of brain dysfunction, the Rivermead Follow up Questionnaire and Neurobehavioral Rating Scale. Each patient was trained using BFT for an hour every day, for a period of one month. The speed and accuracy factors of each task were stepwise increased in every session. Statistical comparison of the neuropsychological tests scores before and after the retraining showed significant improvement in the areas of working memory, verbal and visual learning and memory functions. However, significant improvement was not seen in tests involving combination of visuospatial discrimination, integration, and psychomotor performance. Behaviorally the patients showed significant improvement in their cognitive, social and emotional coping behavior after the month long cognitive retraining.