[Computer-based rehabilitation of cognitive impairments and motor arm function of patients with hemiparesis after stroke]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the computer program made for the patients after stroke to treat their cognitive impairments and hemiparesis.

Research design and methods: The experimental group involved 10 patients after stroke who were obliged to train on a computer every day during their three-week stay on the rehabilitation ward. The control group involved 10 patients after stroke who did not participate in any computer training during their rehabilitation process. The first part of the computer tasks trains the attention impairments and visual-motor co-ordination problems. We modified the joystick by adding special buttons to train movements of the wrist, thumb and forefinger of the impaired hand. Computer tasks are made in the way to stimulate both the cognitive functions and hand dexterity at the same time.

Results: This initial research shows a statistically significant improvement of the cognitive functions and hand dexterity among patients from the experimental group. According to these results we did not observe any significant improvement in the cognitive functions among patients who did not train on a computer (control group).

Conclusions: The results of this research suggest the usefulness of this computer program in training cognitive impairments and visual-motor co-ordination as well as hand dexterity among the patients after stroke.