Objective : This study evaluated the effect of the computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation program
(RehaCom) on the cognitive function of elderly stroke patients.
Methods : Forty subjects with stroke (22 males, 18 females) were enrolled and classified into experimental
(n=20) and control (n=20) groups. The control group received conventional occupational
therapy, while the experimental group received additional cognitive training using
RehaCom software (Germany, 1996), five time a week, 30 minutes per session, for 4 weeks.
All subjects were assessed using the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment
(LOTCA) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) before and after treatment.
Results : There was no difference between the LOTCA and FIM scores for the two groups at baseline.
After 4 weeks of treatment, the experimental group performed significantly (p<0.5) better in
the visuomotor organization and thinking operations test in LOTCA than did the control group,
but not significantly better (p>0.5) in the activities of daily living (ADL; FIM) score.
Conclusion : RehaCom helped to improve cognitive function and may be a useful additional tool for cognitive
rehabilitation in patients with stroke.