Neurocognitive training for traumatic brain injury: A pilot feasibility study
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1
University of Wollongong, School of Psychology, Australia
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2
University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Australia
Aims: The most persistent and prominent cause of long-term disability following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is cognitive impairment. The present study aimed to examine the feasibility of a neurocognitive (combined cognitive and neurofeedback) training program that targets cognitive processing impairments, and the arousal state regulation deficits thought to underlie them, for adults with TBI. Method: Participants were 5 adults (2 male, mean age = 48 years) who had sustained a mild, moderate or severe TBI between 4 and 18 months prior to participation. Participants were required to complete 25 sessions of computerised training over 5-8 weeks in their own homes. Results: Four participants (those with mild-moderate injuries) were able to complete the 25 sessions at the recommended rate. Participants rated the training program as easy to use and enjoyable, although somewhat fatiguing. While the primary aim of this study was not to assess outcomes, observation of data at an individual level revealed changes in relative EEG power between pre- and post-training assessment. After training, EEG in eyes-closed and eyes-open resting conditions was reduced for relative theta at frontal locations, and increased for relative alpha and beta power at posterior locations, across participants. In a ‘focus attention’ condition, we observed a post-training reduction in relative delta, and an increase in relative theta, alpha, and beta power. The opposite pattern was observed when participants were instructed to ‘relax’. These changes were accompanied by an observed reduction in self- and informant-reported frequency of everyday behaviours relating to executive dysfunction. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility of the neurocognitive training program for adults with mild-moderate TBI, with suggestion of improvements in behavioural and arousal state regulation. Future research examining the efficacy of this approach in terms of cognitive, behavioural, and electrophysiological outcomes is warranted.
Keywords:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI),
neurocognitive training,
working memory,
Inhibitory Control,
Executive Function,
Attention,
EEG,
Neurofeedback Training,
cognitive training
Conference:
Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Inc, Coffs Harbour, Australia, 26 Nov - 28 Nov, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Psychophysiology
Citation:
Hickey
MA,
Johnstone
SJ and
Rushby
JA
(2014). Neurocognitive training for traumatic brain injury: A pilot feasibility study.
Conference Abstract:
Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Inc.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2014.216.00009
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Received:
21 Oct 2014;
Published Online:
02 Dec 2014.
*
Correspondence:
Miss. Melinda A Hickey, University of Wollongong, School of Psychology, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia, mah888@uowmail.edu.au