Neural Plastic Effects of Working Memory Training Influenced by Self-perceived Stress in Stroke: A Case Illustration.
This case study examined the effects of auditory working memory (WM) training on neuroplastic changes in stroke survivors and how such effects might be influenced by self-perceived stress. Two participants with a history of stroke participated in the study. One of them had a higher level of self-perceived stress. Both participants underwent a course of auditory WM training and completed baseline and post-training assessments such as self-perceived stress, performance satisfaction questionnaires, behavioral task performance, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. They were trained on a computerized auditory WM task (n-back) 5 days a week for 6 weeks, for a total of 20 h. Participant 1 had high levels of perceived stress, both pre- and post-training, and showed improvement on the satisfaction aspect of functional engagement only. Participant 2 had lower levels of perceived stress and demonstrated improvements on all performance tasks. Neuroimaging results showed evidence of improved neural efficiency on the trained task for participant 2. The results shed light on the need to evaluate psychological influences, e.g., stress, when studying the neuroplastic changes in people with stroke. However, the case design approach and other factors that might have positively influenced outcomes mean that these results must be interpreted with a great deal of caution. Future studies using a larger sample are recommended to verify the findings.
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada; Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada; Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health SciencesToronto, ON, Canada.
Ada W S
AW
Leung
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Lauren M
LM
Barrett
Department of Occupational Therapy, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Darcy
D
Butterworth
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Occupational Therapy, Glenrose Rehabilitation HospitalEdmonton, AB, Canada.
Karin
K
Werther
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health SciencesToronto, ON, Canada; Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada.
Deirdre R
DR
Dawson
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada.
E Sharon
ES
Brintnell
fMRI; neuroplasticity; self-perceived stress; stroke; working memory training