The Effect of a Memory Training Application for a Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury

Efficacy of ICT-Based Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Programs for Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract. This systematic review aims to analyze the methods used in the assessment of the efficacy of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Programs (NRP) based on Information and Communication Technologies in patients with Acquired Brain Injury, namely platforms and online rehabilitation programs. Studies with the main purpose of evaluating the efficacy of those programs were retrieved from multiple literature databases, accordingly to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion and analysis of the studies followed preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines. Thirty-one studies were included in this review. Results showed that most studies used a pre-post methodological design, with few studies performing assessment moments during intervention or follow-up. Attention, memory, and executive functions were the cognitive variables considered by a larger number of studies at the assessment of NRP efficacy. Despite that, there is a growing evidence on the inclusion of variables related to everyday functioning in this process, increasing its ecological validity. Concerning the instruments used, the studies presented a large heterogeneity of the instruments and methods used, even for the same assessment purpose, highlighting a lack of consensus regarding assessment protocol. Psychophysiological and neuroimaging techniques are seldom used on this field. This review identifies the main characteristics of the methodology used at the assessment of NRP and potential limitations, providing useful information to guide the practice of the health care professionals in rehabilitation of Acquired Brain Injury. It also suggests new directions for future studies.

Difference between tablet methods and paper questionnaire methods of conducting a survey with community-dwelling elderly

[Purpose] This study aimed to develop a tablet app that emulates paper questionnaires used in clinical care, and to verify the difference between the utility of tablet survey methods and paper questionnaire methods with elderly people. [Subjects and Methods] A tablet app was developed in the Java language. A questionnaire was provided to 30 community-dwelling elderly people. The subjects were randomly allocated to the group responding on the tablet (tablet group) or that responding to a paper-based questionnaire (questionnaire group). Assessed items included response time to questions, whether or not they had queries regarding the survey, and data input time. For the tablet group, a questionnaire was conducted regarding the operability of the tablet. [Results] There was no difference in response time between the two groups. Significantly more people in the tablet group had queries regarding the survey. Data input time was 426 seconds for the tablet group and 1268 seconds for the questionnaire group. In the survey regarding tablet operability, there were no negative opinions about the visibility of the screen. [Conclusion] Tablets can be used with elderly people to shorten the data input time. The present findings suggested that tablet surveys could be effective for a large-scale investigation.

Recovery of functional capacity in severe trauma victims at one year after injury: association with trauma-related and hospital stay aspects

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the functional capacity of trauma survivors one year after hospital discharge and to identify associations with trauma- and hospital stay-related aspects in a developing country. [Subjects and Methods] This study included severe trauma patients (Injury Severity Score ≥16; ≥18 years old) who were admitted to an intensive care unit in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hospital stay data were collected from the patients’ records. Functional capacity was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale one year after hospital discharge. Patients were asked if they had returned to work/school. [Results] Forty-nine patients completed follow-up. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale data, most patients had moderate or mild/no dysfunction. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale showed that 60–70% of the subjects performed most activities independently. Multiple linear regression of the Glasgow score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II score, length of mechanical ventilation, and hospital length of stay revealed an association between the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and hospital length of stay. Overall, 32.6% of the subjects had returned to work/school. [Conclusion] Most severe trauma patients experienced functional recovery, although only one-third had returned to work/school one year after hospital discharge. Hospital length of stay was identified as a significant predictor of functional recovery.