title: Assessing and restoring cognitive functions early after stroke.
abstract: Cognitive impairment is a frequent complication of stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training performed early after stroke. Ninety-two patients were randomly assigned to either the study group (SG) or the control group (CG). Cognitive rehabilitation consisted of 16 individual one-hour sessions in which patients performed therapist- guided computer exercises. The patients in the CG performed a sham intervention. After four weeks all the patients were re-evaluated. In the SG, significant improvements (p<0.05) were detected in all neuropsychological measures at the post-training evaluation, while the CG showed mild (not statistically significant) improvements on cognitive tests. Between-group analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the domains of memory and visual attention. Cognitive training performed early after stroke seems to be a viable option for improving cognitive outcome in stroke survivors. Further studies should assess whether this may favor their reintegration into everyday life.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zucchella
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Codella
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vecchione
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buccino
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandrini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pierelli
authors.forename: Michelangelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartolo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome