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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Sep 4;24(1):314.
doi: 10.1186/s12883-024-03813-x.

The effect of computerized cognitive training and transcranial direct current stimulation on working memory among post-stroke individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression

Csaba Kazinczi  1   2 , Krisztián Kocsis  3 , Katalin Boross  4 , Mihály Racsmány  5   6   7 , Péter Klivényi  8 , László Vécsei  8   9 , Anita Must  10   11
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effect of computerized cognitive training and transcranial direct current stimulation on working memory among post-stroke individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression

Csaba Kazinczi et al. BMC Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: Working memory (WM) impairment is a common phenomenon after stroke; however, its management in rehabilitation is less researched. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a quantitative synthesis of the impact of computerised cognitive training (CCT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on WM span in post-stroke individuals.

Methods: The literature search in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library focused on randomized controlled trials testing the effect of CCT and tDCS on treated stroke patients as compared to untreated controls. Neuropsychological instruments such as Digit Span Forward/Backward and Visual Span Forward Tests defined the outcome of WM span. After extracting study characteristics and quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, we conducted a meta-analysis and meta-regression using standardised mean differences.

Results: The search yielded 4142 articles, nine of which (N = 461) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In the case of CCT, we found significant improvement in Digit Span Backward Test (Z = 2.65, P = 0.008; 95% CI [0.10, 0.67]) and Visual Span Forward Test performance (Z = 3.05, P = 0.002; 95% CI [0.15, 0.69]), while for tDCS, we could not find a sufficient number of studies for the analysis. Furthermore, no significant moderating factor was found in the meta-regression.

Conclusions: In conclusion, CCT appears to be a suitable choice to enhance WM span performance after stroke. However, further research is needed to investigate the effect of tDCS due to the limited number of studies.

Trial registration: The meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards with a PROSPERO registration protocol (ID: CRD42023387182).

Keywords: Cognitive training; Computer-based; Stroke; Systematic review; Working memory; tDCS.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram of study selection
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Results of risk and bias assessment according to the cochrane risk of bias tool
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effect of CCT on short-term recall measured by digit span forward test (DSTF) compared to controls
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Effect of CCT on WM measured by digit span backward test (DSTB) compared to controls
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Effect of CCT on visuospatial WM measured by visual span forward test (VSTF) compared to controls
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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