title: The effects of an 8-week computer-based brain training programme on cognitive functioning, QoL and self-efficacy after stroke.
abstract: Cognitive impairment after stroke has a direct impact on daily functioning and quality of life (QoL) of patients and is associated with higher mortality and healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a computer-based brain training programme on cognitive functioning, QoL and self-efficacy compared to a control condition in stroke patients. Stroke patients with self-perceived cognitive impairment were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. The intervention consisted of an 8-week brain training programme (Lumosity Inc.®). The control group received general information about the brain weekly. Assessments consisted of a set of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. In addition, adherence with trained computer tasks was recorded. No effect of the training was found on cognitive functioning, QoL or self-efficacy when compared to the control condition, except for very limited effects on working memory and speed. This study found very limited effects on neuropsychological tests that were closely related to trained computer tasks, but no transfers to other tests or self-perceived cognitive failures, QoL or self-efficacy. These findings warrant the need for further research into the value of computer-based brain training to improve cognitive functioning in the chronic phase after stroke.
authors.affiliation: a Sophia Rehabilitation Centre , The Hague , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wentink
authors.affiliation: b The Hague University of Applied Sciences , The Hague , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: a Sophia Rehabilitation Centre , The Hague , The Netherlands.|b The Hague University of Applied Sciences , The Hague , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Kloet
authors.affiliation: a Sophia Rehabilitation Centre , The Hague , The Netherlands.|c Leiden University Medical Centre , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meesters
authors.affiliation: d Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G P H
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Band
authors.affiliation: c Leiden University Medical Centre , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wolterbeek
authors.affiliation: a Sophia Rehabilitation Centre , The Hague , The Netherlands.|c Leiden University Medical Centre , Leiden , The Netherlands.|e The Rijnlands Rehabilitation Centre , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.affiliation: a Sophia Rehabilitation Centre , The Hague , The Netherlands.|c Leiden University Medical Centre , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T P M
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Vliet Vlieland
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Stroke; brain training; cognitive functioning; computer; gaming; rehabilitation