A Protocol for Remote Cognitive Training Developed for Use in Clinical Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors often encounter logistical barriers to therapy, including scheduling and transportation.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and at-home digital health solutions.
• Cognitive training tools are essential for TBI recovery, but accessibility remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of an at-home cognitive training tool, NeuroTrackerX, utilizing anaglyph 3D glasses and 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) software.
• To validate the efficacy of the at-home NeuroTrackerX program by comparing its outcomes to an in-lab 3D-MOT program.
• To assess NeuroTrackerX as a potential at-home therapeutic intervention for TBI survivors.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 20 cognitively healthy adults for a 5-week at-home training program (10 sessions) using NeuroTrackerX and loaned equipment.
• Assessed feasibility through recruitment, retention, adherence (90%), and participant-reported ease of use.
• Validated the program by comparing at-home results with a control group (n=20) who completed in-lab 3D-MOT training.

Main Results:

• The at-home NeuroTrackerX program exhibited high feasibility, evidenced by strong recruitment, retention, and adherence rates.
• No significant differences were found in session scores or percentage improvement between the at-home and in-lab groups.
• Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive task performance across training sessions (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• NeuroTrackerX is a feasible and effective at-home cognitive training tool for cognitively healthy adults.
• The program's success suggests its potential as a valuable remote therapeutic option for TBI survivors.
• At-home 3D-MOT cognitive training offers a viable alternative to in-lab interventions, overcoming accessibility barriers.