Development of Computer-assisted Memory Rehabilitation Programs for the Treatment of Memory Dysfunction in Patients with Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: To develope the computer-assisted memory rehabilitation programs and to assess the effect of these programs in the patients with brain injury. METHOD: Ten memory training programs, which included verbal/non-verbal, sequential/ non-sequential, and visual/auditory memory properties were designed and converted to the computer program using C-language. The training program included various aspects of memory such as spatial memory, sequential verbal and nonverbal recall, associated recall, categorical memory, and integrated semantic memory. Each program used familiar pictures and sounds in our living situation to give the patients comfortable feelings and interests. Seven patients with brain injury were trained using the computer-assisted memory program 3 times per week for 4 weeks. All patients were assessed their cognitive function using Seoul Computerized Neuropsychological Test (Maxmedica) before and 1 month after the treatment. RESULTS: Ten computer-associated memory training programs using C-language were successfully developed. The patients who were trained with computer-assisted memory programs showed higher performances in forward digit span, backward digit span, backward visual span, verbal learning, visual controlled continuous performance, auditory controlled continuous performance, and finger tapping tests after than before the treatment. CONCLUSION: The computer-assisted memory training can be used as an additional tool for memory rehabilitation in patients with brain injury.

Cognitive Assessment for Patient with Brain Injury by Computerized Neuropsychological Test

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to define the usefulness of the computerized neuropsychological test (CNT) for evaluation of cognitive deficit in the patients with brain injury. METHOD: Twenty five subjects with brain injury (16 males, 9 females) were enrolled. Their mean age was 39.2 years. All patient were assessed their cognitive function using CNT. The CNT consisted of digit span, verbal learning test, visual span test, visual learning test, auditory continuous performance test, auditory controlled continuous performance test, visual continuous performance test, visual controlled continuous performance test, word-color test, hypothesis formation test and trail making test. Scores of each subtest on CNT analysed according to the brain lesion and involved hemisphere of the patients. RESULTS: In patients with left hemisphere lesion, scores in digit span and verbal-learning test were lower than that of right side lesion (p<0.05). In contrast, patients with right hemisphere lesion showed significantly lower scores in visual span and visual-learning test (p<0.05). The patients with frontal lobe lesion marked lower scores in verbal-learning and word-color test than the patients without frontal lesion (p<0.01). Whereas the patients with parietal lobe lesion showed significantly lower scores in visual learning test (p<0.05) than the patients without parietal lesion. CONCLUSION: The cognitive deficit following the brain lesion could be characterized using CNT. CNT is considered to be used as a useful tool in the patients with brain injury for the assessment of their cognitive function.

A clinical review of emphysematous pyelonephritis / 대한신장학회잡지

No abstract available.