Personal computer-based cognitive training in Parkinson's disease: a case study

Maria G Maggio, Rosaria De Luca, Giuseppa Maresca, Giuseppe Di Lorenzo, Desiree Latella, Rocco S Calabro, Alessia Bramanti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is best managed by a combination of medication and regular physiotherapy. PD's main symptoms involve the motor system, but cognitive disorders can be very severe as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the computerized rehabilitative tool Esercizi di Riabilitazione Cognitiva (ERICA) in the cognitive recovery of a patient with PD. The patient was a 65-year-old man affected by PD with motor complications and severe cognitive and behavioural alterations. He underwent two different types of intensive rehabilitation training: standard cognitive rehabilitation alone and in combination with specific personal computer (PC)-based cognitive training. We evaluated his neuropsychological profile before and after the two types of training by using a specific psychometric battery. Only at the end of the PC training did we observe improvement in cognitive function as well as mood stabilization. When used in addition to standard cognitive rehabilitation, PC-based cognitive training may be a valuable tool in improving cognitive skills, with regard to attention, memory process, and executive functions. PC-based cognitive training may be able to help optimize managing the symptoms of PD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)427-429
Number of pages3
JournalPsychogeriatrics
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2018

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Cognition Disorders/etiology
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods
  • Humans
  • Memory Disorders/etiology
  • Microcomputers
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted/methods
  • Treatment Outcome

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