[Microcomputer and rehabilitation of cognitive cerebral performance disorders]

Clinical neuropsychology has so far mostly been concerned with theoretical aspects of the brain-behavior relationship, as well as the diagnosis of cognitive deficits after brain damage. Only very recently has cognitive rehabilitation of the brain injured patient become a major area of interest in neuropsychology, and computer-assisted therapy of higher cortical functions is playing an increasing role especially in the United States. A survey found that 73% of the rehabilitation centers included were using computers in delivering their cognitive rehabilitation therapy, major areas of computer-assisted therapy being deficits of eye-hand coordination, attention, concentration, orientation, visual-spatial processing, memory, discrimination, problem solving, and concept formation. Treatment of speech disorders using computers is so far limited but will improve when more efficient language analyzers and synthesizers become available. More powerful microcomputers will lead to both computer-assisted and computer-managed cognitive programs, which allow for maximum flexibility and individualization of treatment. Computer use in cognitive rehabilitation should be subject to supervision by a therapist, and the following requirements should be met: 1) detailed diagnostic analysis of the differential cognitive performance pattern of a patient; 2) individual adaptation of computer peripherals to achieve optimum patient-computer-interaction; 3) selection and adaptation of therapy software to match the individual cognitive performance profile of a patient. Cognitive computer therapy appears to be most profitable in the rehabilitation phase and in post-rehabilitation treatment.