Cognitive Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury

ABSTRACT

Cognitive rehabilitation is integral part of the neurorehabilitation of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Key features after TBI are cognitive (impaired attention and memory, slowed processing speed, deficit in working memory and executive dysfunction) and behavioral sequelae (somatic and pain concern, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal and maladjustment, impulsivity, and poor judgement). Two basic approaches of cognitive rehabilitation is restoration of impaired function (basic skill training) and compensation to adapt cognitive disabilities. In addition, holistic approaches, systemically integrated interventions for remediation of cognitive deficit, functional skills and interpersonal functions, are also effective and are widely accepted in neurorehabilitation program for patients with TBI. Recent data of many researches and accumulation of clinical experiences on cognitive rehabilitation enable us to provide evidence based approaches in specific population of cognitive dysfunction after TBI.