[Dynamics of cognitive functions using the rehabilitation program of cognitive training]. / Dinamika kognitivnykh funktsii pri ispol'zovanii reabilitatsionnoi programmy kognitivnogo treninga.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of the neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients with mild cognitive impairments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 103 elderly people, aged 59 to 88 years, including 90 women and 13 men with subjective complaints of memory loss (ICD-10: F06.70; F06.71; F06.78; F06.79). Participants were divided into experimental group (n=43) and comparison group (n=42). The estimated impact was the rehabilitation program «The psychosocial therapy and neurocognitive rehabilitation of elderly patients with cognitive impairments¼, within which the principle of complex stimulation of various parameters of the cognitive sphere was used in rehabilitation work with patients in the experimental group in accordance with the «Memory Clinic¼ program. The study was conducted using randomized, equalized comparison groups, and the principle of «triple-blind¼ research. Non-parametric statistics (SPSS) methods were used to assess differences. RESULTS: A significant difference between the comparison and experimental groups has been identified, primarily in relation to high-level mental processes associated with the function of the third structural-functional block according to A.R. Luria. After the training, the number of correct answers significantly increased (t(42)=-2.67, p<0.001) in the experimental group, while in the comparison group the indicator did not change (t(41)=0.50, p=0.617). The number of false alarms in the experimental group decreased significantly (t(42)=2.13, p=0.039). CONCLUSION: The results confirm the leading role of these processes in the hierarchy of mental functions, which suggests that they should primarily be targets of rehabilitation interventions.

Meeting In The Middle: Luria’s Approach And Cognitive Approach To Spoken Language Impairment In Aphasia

El objetivo de este artículo es comparar y analizar dos enfoques de la afasia: La teoría de localización dinámica sistémica de las funciones mentales superiores desarrollada por A.R. Luria y modelo neurocognitivo de doble ruta. Hasta donde sabemos, nunca antes se había realizado un análisis comparativo de estas dos teorías. Encontramos similitudes entre estas dos teorías, así como diferencias entre ellas. Una de las diferencias clave es que, si bien el enfoque de Luria ve varios síntomas como consecuencias sistémicas de un impedimento primario, el modelo de ruta dual ve estos síntomas como independientes y no relacionados. Esta gran diferencia entre dos enfoques puede explicarse: el enfoque de Luria está en línea con el clásico «análisis del síndrome» de la afasia, al contrario del enfoque cognitivo, que asume que los síndromes clásicos son incapaces de explicar toda la diversidad de síntomas clínicos. (AU)

The aim of this paper is to compare and analyze two approaches to aphasia: The systemic dynamic localization of higher mental functions theory developed by A.R. Luria and neurocognitive dual-route model. To our knowledge, comparative analysis of these two theories was never done before. We found similarities between these two theories, as well as differences between them. One of the key differences is that while Luria’s approach views various symptoms as systemic consequences of a primary impairment, the dual-route model sees these symptoms as independent and unrelated. This major difference between two approaches can be explained: Luria’s approach is in line with classic “syndrome analysis” of aphasia, contrary to the cognitive approach, which assumes that classic syndromes are unable to explain all diversity of clinical symptoms. (AU)

[Post-stroke rehabilitation training with a brain-computer interface: a clinical and neuropsychological study]. / Interfeis mozg-komp'iuter v postinsul'tnoi reabilitatsii: kliniko-neiropsikhologicheskoe issledovanie.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of BCI-supported mental practice and to reveal specific cognitive impairment which determine mental practice ineffectiveness and inability to perform MI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five hemiplegic patients after first-time stroke (median age 54. 0 [44.0; 61.0], time from onset 6.0 [3.0; 13.0] month) were randomized into two groups - BCI and sham-controlled. Severity of arm paresis was measured by Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery after Stroke (FMA) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Twelve patients from the BCI group were examined using neuropsychological testing. After assessment, patients were trained to imagine kinesthetically a movement under control of BCI with the feedback presented via an exoskeleton. Patients underwent 12 training sessions lasting up to 30 min. In the end of the study, the scores on movement scales, electroencephalographic results obtained during training sessions were analyzed and compared to the results of neuropsychological testing. RESULTS: Evaluation of the UL clinical assessments indicated that both groups improved on ARAT and FMA (sections A-D, H, I) but only the BCI group showed an improvement in the ARAT's grasp score (p=0.012), pinch score (p=0.012), gross movement score (p=0,002). The significant correlation was revealed between particular neuropsychological tests (Taylor Figure test, choice reaction test, Head test) and online accuracy rate. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that adding BCI control to exoskeleton-assisted physical therapy can improve post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes. Neuropsychological testing can be used for screening before mental practice admission and promote personalized rehabilitation.