title: Cognitive rehabilitation for executive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: application and current directions.
abstract: Cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease contributes to disability, caregiver strain, and diminished quality of life. Cognitive rehabilitation, a behavioral approach to improve cognitive skills, has potential as a treatment option to improve and maintain cognitive skills and increase quality of life for those with Parkinson's disease-related cognitive dysfunction. Four cognitive rehabilitation programs in individuals with PD are identified from the literature. Characteristics of the programs and outcomes are reviewed and critiqued. Current studies on cognitive rehabilitation in PD demonstrate feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive rehabilitation program for patients with PD, but are limited by their small sample size and data regarding generalization of effects over the long term. Because PD involves progressive heterogeneous physical, neurological, and affective difficulties, future cognitive rehabilitation programs should aim for flexibility and individualization, according to each patient's strengths and deficits.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calleo
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Michele K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: York