[Computer-based rehabilitation of cognitive impairments and motor arm function of patients with hemiparesis after stroke].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of the computer program made for the patients after stroke to treat their cognitive impairments and hemiparesis.


METHODS
The experimental group involved 10 patients after stroke who were obliged to train on a computer every day during their three-week stay on the rehabilitation ward. The control group involved 10 patients after stroke who did not participate in any computer training during their rehabilitation process. The first part of the computer tasks trains the attention impairments and visual-motor co-ordination problems. We modified the joystick by adding special buttons to train movements of the wrist, thumb and forefinger of the impaired hand. Computer tasks are made in the way to stimulate both the cognitive functions and hand dexterity at the same time.


RESULTS
This initial research shows a statistically significant improvement of the cognitive functions and hand dexterity among patients from the experimental group. According to these results we did not observe any significant improvement in the cognitive functions among patients who did not train on a computer (control group).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this research suggest the usefulness of this computer program in training cognitive impairments and visual-motor co-ordination as well as hand dexterity among the patients after stroke.
Otfinowski
Janusz
J
Klinika Rehabilitacji, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytet Jagielloñski, ul. Botaniczna 3, 31-503 Kraków.
Jasiak-Tyrkalska
Bozena
B
Starowicz
Anna
A
Reguła
Krzysztof
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001072:Apraxias / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013028:Space Perception; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014794:Visual Fields