Design and Outcomes of Computer-Based Cognitive Prosthetics for Brain Injury: A Field Study of Three Subjects¹

Issue title: Memory Retraining

Guest editors: Rick ParentéGuest Editor and Douglas HerrmannGuest Editor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cole, Elliot^a | Dehdashti, Parto^a | Petti, Linda^a | Angert, Marlene^b

Affiliations: [a] Institute for Cognitive Prosthetics, Bala Cynwyd, PA | [b] Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Note: [1] This research was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke, Division of Fundamental Neurosciences Grant No. NS28978.

Abstract: Three traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients achieved a significant increase in level of function in a short period of time using a Computer-Based Cognitive Prosthesis (CBCP). A CBCP is a compensatory strategy which applies computer science concepts to brain injury rehabilitation. One-of-a-kind software is designed to assist the brain injury survivor in performing functional activities. New techniques of rehabilitation are also applied. Research subjects were between one and five years post injury. Patients were able to make substantial contributions to the design of their prosthetic software. Increases in level of functioning were seen both in everyday activities targeted for the intervention, as well as generalized increase on neurobehavioral and psychological dimensions.

Keywords: Cognitive prosthesis, cognitive rehabilitation, participatory design, computer science, human computer interaction, computers in rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-1994-4308

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 174-186, 1994