Computerized Training of Working Memoryfor Patients with Acquired Brain Injury

Background: Patients with acquired brain injury often experience impaired working memory(WM), a condition that can make everyday life activities and work difficult. Objectives: This studyinvestigates the effects of computerized WM training on WM skills, cognitive tests, activity performanceand estimated health and whether the effects of computerized WM training can be attributedto sex or time since injury. Methods: Forty-eight patients with acquired brain injury underwentcomputerized WM training. Patients were tested by a neuropsychologist and interviewedby an occupational therapist just prior and 20 weeks after completion of training. Results: Patientswho participated in computerized WM training significantly improved their WM skills shown inWM index, their neuropsychological test scores, and their self-estimated health scores. They alsosignificantly improved their performance of individually defined WM-related everyday activitiesand their satisfaction with the performance of these activities. There was a significant differencein terms of WM index, WM-related daily activity performance, and satisfaction with respect to timesince injury. Conclusion: Computerized WM training can improve cognitive and everyday performancefor patients with acquired brain injury. Patients can improve their cognitive functions along time after suffering a brain injury or disease. This effect is greater if WM training is used earlyin the rehabilitation